Alaska Age of Consent Laws
Alaska’s age of consent laws changed on July 1, 2026, providing additional protections for young people. Learn about the updated laws, what they mean, and resources for understanding consent and healthy relationships.
Explore these visual guides from RCPC to Alaska’s age of consent laws. Click to enlarge.
The Facts
The general age of consent in Alaska is 18.
On July 1, 2026, changes to Alaska’s age of consent laws took effect, providing additional legal protections for 16- and 17-year-olds from certain sexual activity with adults.
Why It Matters
Young people deserve to be safe from exploitation, manipulation, and abuse. These protections recognize the power differences that can exist between teens and adults.
The goal is to protect young people—not to criminalize healthy, age-appropriate relationships between teens.
What the Law Says
Adults 18 and older: may lawfully engage in consensual sexual activity with another adult who is 18 or older.
Adults and 16- or 17-year-olds: Sexual activity is a crime when the adult is at least six years older than the minor.
Close-in-age relationships: Legal protections for relationships between teens close in age help ensure these relationships are not criminalized.
Positions of authority: Additional protections apply to minors of any age when an adult is in a position of authority.
Visual Guides
View the RCPC infographic from the Resource Center for Parents and Children.
Open STAR’s age-of-consent flowchart (PDF) from Standing Together Against Rape.
Resources and More Information
The Alaska Bar Youth Law Guide – a no-nonsense guide for young people on laws related to statutory rape and age of consent, and all things “sex, drugs & rock’n’roll”
Read Alaska House Bill 239 (PDF) for the law’s wording.
Consent Matters at Any Age
Remember, age is just one part of consent – see below for additional resources & information
Consent – It’s as simple as Tea – A Video from Thames Valley Police
On Consent: Fry Bread – An Alaska-focused resource from Kawerak, Inc.
Consent Education Videos – Youth-created videos from Alaska Teens Against Abuse.
Healthy Relationships Toolkit – Educational resources from Eau Claire Health Alliance.
Whatsok – A safe space for youth to ask questions and receive answers about consent and safe sexuality
Explore these visual guides from STAR to Alaska’s age of consent laws. Click to enlarge.