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 Minnesota, it is illegal for educators, including teachers, to engage in sexual conduct with students, regardless of the student's age of consent. Minnesota law specifically addresses the issue of sexual relationships between teachers and students under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.34x, which makes it a felony for a primary or secondary school teacher to engage in sexual conduct with a student who is enrolled in or attends the school where the teacher is employed. This law applies even if the student has reached the age of consent, which is 16 in Minnesota. The statute is designed to protect students from exploitation by individuals in positions of authority and trust. Violations of this law can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and registration as a sex offender.