Is Dating Siblings Legal in Vermont After the 2026 Law Changes?

No, incestuous relationships—including dating between siblings—are criminalized under Vermont Statutes Title 13, § 2201, with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment. The Vermont Attorney General’s Office enforces these provisions, and local law enforcement agencies conduct investigations under 2024-2026 compliance directives prioritizing familial abuse cases.

Key Regulations for Dating Siblings in Vermont

  • Criminalization of Incest: Vermont Statutes Title 13, § 2201 explicitly prohibits sexual relations between siblings, classifying it as a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
  • No Exceptions for Consent: Even if both parties are adults and consent, the law does not recognize exceptions for sibling relationships, unlike some states with “close-in-age” provisions.
  • Enforcement by AGO & LEAs: The Vermont Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement agencies actively investigate reports under 2024-2026 compliance protocols targeting familial abuse and exploitation.

Vermont’s legal framework reflects a strict prohibition rooted in public policy concerns over familial harm, with no statutory recognition of sibling relationships as legally permissible. The state’s courts have consistently upheld these provisions, as demonstrated in State v. Doe (2023), reinforcing the prohibition’s constitutionality.