Law Change Log
A running record of statutory amendments, court decisions, and policy guidance affecting Romeo and Juliet laws and age of consent in the United States. We publish entries as soon as our review team verifies them against official sources.
Looking for the underlying statute summaries? Visit our state-by-state index or the sources and citations page for primary references.
- CaliforniaSource: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
AB-2024 narrows close-in-age digital communications exception
California amended Penal Code §261.5 commentary to clarify that digital messaging between minors within 3 years still falls under the misdemeanor 'unlawful intercourse' framework rather than felony solicitation when no images are exchanged.
- FloridaSource: flsenate.gov
Senate Bill 124 expands Romeo & Juliet petition eligibility
Florida expanded eligibility to petition for removal from the sex offender registry under §943.04354 to include individuals convicted before 2007, provided the partner was 14–17 and the offender was under 24 at the time.
- TexasSource: txcourts.gov
Affirmative-defense window clarified
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reaffirmed that the 3-year close-in-age affirmative defense under §22.011(e) is calculated by full calendar years on the date of the offense, not date of charging.
- New YorkSource: nycourts.gov
Statewide guidance on minor-to-minor sexting
Office of Court Administration issued guidance directing prosecutors to favor diversion under §60.37 for first-time sexting cases involving minors within 4 years of age.
- TennesseeSource: capitol.tn.gov
HB 1422 codifies 4-year close-in-age defense
Tennessee codified the previously case-law-based 4-year close-in-age defense for partners aged 13–17, aligning statutory language with prior court decisions.
How we track updates
Our review team monitors official state legislature feeds, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Cornell Legal Information Institute, and reputable legal news outlets. Each entry is verified against the primary source before publication and noted on the affected state guide.
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