Age of consent increase from 16 to 18 in criminal sexual conduct offenses involving offenders who are over 21 years of age

Minnesota Senate Bill 1047 increases the age of consent for certain criminal sexual conduct offenses from 16 to 18 years old. It specifically targets situations where a person aged 22 or older engages in sexual conduct with someone who is 16 or 17 years old. Under this bill, consent from the minor and mistaken belief about their age are no longer valid defenses, making such acts criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. The law applies to cases committed on or after August 1, 2025, and directly affects minors aged 16-17 and partners aged 22 or older in these circumstances.