Most states prosecute educators (teachers) for improper sexual contact with students under the state’s statutory rape laws—which are premised on the student being under the age of consent recognized by law, even if the student was a willing participant.

But some states have enacted specific statutes making it a crime—often a felony—for an educator to have sexual contact with a student—even if the student has reached the age of consent (17 years of age, for example).

Laws vary from state to state, and laws governing sexual contact between educators and students are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Maine, it is illegal for educators to engage in sexual contact with students under their authority. Maine law specifically addresses the issue of sexual relationships between educators and students through statute 17-A M.R.S.A. § 255-A, which makes it a crime for a person employed by or volunteering at a school to have a sexual relationship with a student enrolled at that school who is under 18 years of age, regardless of the student's consent. This law applies even if the student has reached the age of consent, which is 16 in Maine. Violation of this statute is considered a Class C crime, which is a felony, and can result in significant legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines. The law is designed to protect the integrity of the educational environment and the welfare of students by prohibiting abuses of power and trust by educators.