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Legal Information: Maine

Statutes: Maine

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Updated: 
November 28, 2023

§ 254. Sexual abuse of minors

1. A person is guilty of sexual abuse of a minor if:

A. The person engages in a sexual act with another person, not the actor’s spouse, who is either 14 or 15 years of age and the actor is at least 5 years older than the other person. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime;

A-1. The person violates paragraph A and the actor knows that the other person is related to the actor within the 2nd degree of consanguinity. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime;

A-2. The person violates paragraph A and the actor is at least 10 years older than the other person. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime;

B. Deleted. Laws 1989, c. 401, § A, 3.

C. The person is at least 21 years of age and engages in a sexual act with another person, not the actor’s spouse, who is either 16 or 17 years of age and is a student enrolled in a private or public elementary, secondary or special education school, facility or institution and the actor is a teacher, employee or other official in the school district, school union, educational unit, school, facility or institution in which the student is enrolled. Violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime;

D. The person violates paragraph C and the actor knows that the student is related to the actor within the 2nd degree of consanguinity. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or

E. The person violates paragraph C and the actor is at least 10 years older than the student. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime.

F. Repealed. Laws 2011, c. 464, § 8.

2. It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection 1, paragraphs A, A-1, A-2 and F, that the actor reasonably believed the other person is at least 16 years of age.

3. Deleted. Laws 2001, c. 383, § 21.

4. As used in this section, “related to the actor within the 2nd degree of consanguinity” has the meaning set forth in section 556.