CRIMES AGAINST MINORS; AGE CONSENT TO 18
Sponsored By: Andrew Gray (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
More victims can sue abusers
You can sue if you were under 18 when the sexual abuse happened. You can seek money for injuries and conditions caused by the abuse. This expands the right to sue to people who were 16–17 at the time.
Harsher penalties for crimes against children
Crimes that kill or target people under 18 face tougher charges and sentences. First- and second-degree murder and stalking rules now use under 18. Judges can use more age-based aggravators and count more past child offenses, which can raise prison time. Caregivers who endanger children under 18 face charges. Some child-murder cases must get at least 20 years.
Sex crimes use 18 as cutoff
The law treats people under 18 as minors for key sex crimes. It updates first-, second-, and third-degree sexual abuse with clear age and age-gap rules. Third-degree covers a person 17 or older with someone 13–15 who is at least 4 years younger, or 16–17 who is at least 6 years younger. Adults who try to entice someone under 18, or who believe the person is under 18, commit a crime. The "reasonable belief of age" defense now uses 18, and it never applies if the child is under 13.
Tougher rules on indecent content
Indecent exposure in front of someone under 18 brings higher penalties. Sharing explicit images made when the person was under 18 is illegal if done to annoy or humiliate. Adults who send indecent material to someone under 18 who is at least two years younger commit a crime. It is not a defense to claim the person was 18. Courts also judge what is "harmful to minors" by standards for under-18.
More people must register as offenders
More convictions count as sex offenses when the victim is under 18. Indecent exposure in front of someone under 18 now counts toward registration totals. Two or more such exposure convictions can trigger lifetime registration. This expands who must register and how long they must do it.
Better support for child witnesses
Courts can appoint a guardian for a child under 18 who is a victim or witness. Judges can take the child's testimony by closed-circuit TV or behind a one-way mirror when needed. This helps children speak without facing a full courtroom.
Rules start now, not retroactive
The law takes effect right away. It applies only to crimes committed on or after the effective date. It also removes three listed subsections from Alaska law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Andrew Gray
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): MERRICK, GIESSEL
4/13/2026Senate(S) Heard & Held
3/23/2026Senate(S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
3/23/2026SenateAudio/Video
3/23/2026House(S) CRONK
3/4/2026Senate(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): GRAY-JACKSON, MYERS, TILTON, KAWASAKI, YUNDT, BJORKMAN,
3/4/2026Senate(S) Heard & Held
2/25/2026Senate(S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
2/25/2026SenateAudio/Video
2/25/2026House(S) Heard & Held
2/9/2026Senate(S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
2/9/2026SenateAudio/Video
2/9/2026House(S) REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
5/19/2025Senate(S) JUD, FIN
5/19/2025Senate(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
5/19/2025Senate(H) VERSION: CSHB 101(FIN)
5/19/2025House(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
5/19/2025House(H) COSPONSOR(S): KOPP, NELSON
5/19/2025House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/19/2025House(H) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION Y39 A1
5/19/2025House(H) RECON SAME DAY UC - IN THIRD READING
5/19/2025House(H) STUTES NOTICE OF RECONSIDERATION
5/19/2025House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/19/2025House(H) PASSED Y39 A1
5/19/2025House(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 101(FIN)
5/19/2025House
Bill Text
CSHB 101(FIN)
4/28/2025
CSHB 101(JUD)
3/10/2025
HB 101
2/12/2025