Bill > SF1047

This bill increases the age of consent from 16 to 18 for criminal sexual conduct offenses involving offenders who are 22 years of age or older, amending two sections of Minnesota's criminal statutes (609.344 and 609.345). Specifically, the bill adds a new provision to both sections that makes it a criminal sexual conduct offense in the third and fourth degrees, respectively, when a person who is 22 years or older engages in sexual penetration or sexual contact with a victim who is at least 16 but under 18 years old. The bill maintains existing language that neither mistake about the victim's age nor the victim's consent can be used as a defense in such cases. The changes will apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, effectively closing a previous legal gap that allowed sexual interactions between adults over 21 and 16- or 17-year-olds. This modification aims to provide additional protection for older minors from potential sexual exploitation by adults, recognizing the significant power and maturity difference between a 22-year-old and a teenager.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1047&ssn=0&y=2025