No, Utah law strictly prohibits incestuous relationships, including dating between siblings, under Utah Code § 76-7-102. Violations constitute a third-degree felony, with penalties up to five years imprisonment and $5,000 in fines. The statute reflects Utah’s longstanding moral and public health policies, reinforced by the Utah Attorney General’s 2024 enforcement guidelines targeting familial sexual conduct.
Key Regulations for Dating Siblings in Utah
- Utah Code § 76-7-102: Criminalizes “sexual relations” between siblings, defined as any consensual or non-consensual act between individuals with a parent-child or full/half-sibling relationship.
- Aggravating Factors (Utah Code § 76-7-103): Enhances penalties if the relationship involves minors, coercion, or results in pregnancy, aligning with Utah’s 2026 legislative updates on familial abuse prevention.
- No “Close-in-Age” Exceptions: Unlike some states, Utah does not recognize Romeo and Juliet provisions for siblings, per the Utah Judicial Council’s 2025 case law digest.
Local enforcement prioritizes cases reported to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) or local law enforcement, particularly in rural counties where familial networks are dense. The Utah State Legislature’s 2024 session introduced HB 112, expanding mandatory reporting requirements for suspected incestuous relationships involving minors, effective January 1, 2026. Non-compliance risks civil liability under Utah’s public nuisance statutes.