Alaska House Committee supports HB 101 to raise age of consent to 18

Alaska's House Finance Committee convened on April 8, 2025, to discuss House Bill 101, a significant legislative proposal aimed at raising the age of consent for sexual acts from 16 to 18 years old. This bill seeks to close a legal loophole that currently leaves 16 and 17-year-olds vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse, making it more challenging to prosecute offenders.

During the meeting, Representative Gray highlighted the pressing need for this change, citing alarming statistics and real-life cases that illustrate the inadequacies of the current law. He pointed out that under existing statutes, minors aged 16 and 17 can legally consent to sexual activities, which complicates prosecution in cases of sexual assault and trafficking. For instance, he referenced a recent case involving a law enforcement officer who received an eight-year sentence for attempted sexual abuse of a minor, emphasizing that if the perpetrator had not been in a position of authority, the encounter could have been deemed legal.

The proposed legislation includes a "Romeo and Juliet" clause, allowing for close-in-age exemptions to ensure that consensual relationships among peers are not criminalized. This aspect of the bill aims to balance the protection of minors while recognizing their capacity for consensual relationships.

Support for the bill was echoed by various stakeholders, including Keely Olsen, executive director of STAR, who emphasized the need for legal protections for vulnerable minors. She shared personal testimonies of how the current age of consent law fails to protect teens from predatory adults, often leaving them without adequate resources or support after experiencing assault.

Randy Breger, executive director of AWAKE, also voiced strong support for the bill, highlighting the systemic gaps in Alaska's legal framework that fail to protect minors from sexual abuse. He noted that the current laws do not reflect the developmental realities of teenagers, who are often manipulated by older adults.

Youth advocate Eleanor Dolganos shared her personal experience, underscoring the emotional toll of navigating the legal system as a victim of assault. She argued that raising the age of consent would empower the legal system to better protect teens and ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

The committee's discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need to reform Alaska's laws to better safeguard its youth. If passed, House Bill 101 would align Alaska's age of consent with that of several other states, reinforcing the message that the safety and well-being of minors is a priority for the state. The committee plans to review amendments and further testimony before moving forward with the bill, signaling a potential shift in how Alaska addresses the protection of its most vulnerable residents.