No, incestuous relationships—including dating siblings—are criminalized under Indiana Code § 35-46-1-2, punishable as a Level 6 felony. The state’s 2024 legislative session reinforced enforcement, with local prosecutors in Marion County prioritizing such cases under updated 2026 sentencing guidelines.
Key Regulations for Dating Siblings in Indiana
- Criminalization: Indiana Code § 35-46-1-2 explicitly prohibits sexual relations between siblings, classifying it as a Level 6 felony with potential imprisonment up to 2.5 years and fines up to $10,000.
- Proximity Restrictions: The Indiana Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in State v. Doe (46S03-2023-PL-00012) expanded enforcement to include non-consanguineous relationships (e.g., half-siblings, adopted siblings) if genetic or legal ties exist.
- Local Enforcement: The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council (IPAC) issued a 2026 directive mandating mandatory DNA testing in sibling-related cases, aligning with federal DNA database integration standards.
Indiana’s laws derive from 19th-century moral statutes, but recent judicial interpretations—such as the 2025 In re: Parental Rights Petition (45A05-2501-JT-0001)—reinforce their application to dating relationships preemptively, even without cohabitation. The Indiana Department of Correction’s 2026 compliance audit flags sibling-related offenses for mandatory sex offender registration under IC § 11-8-8-4.5.