Age, Safety & the Law

The Family Planning Clinic receives funding by the federal Title X program. Title X programs cannot require parent or guardian written consent for services to minors nor can they notify parents or guardians before or after a minor has requested and received services.

We encourage you to discuss your questions about sex or birth control with your parents. We know that conversation is often difficult to start. However, parents want to answer questions and teach their children how to be sexually responsible. If you want, we can help you to have that conversation with your parent. The law is on your side though — you don't have to tell your parents until you're ready.

Clients seeking treatment at the Family Planning Clinic should know that the health district is required to report cases involving assault or abuse to appropriate agencies. This includes consensual sexual activity (both you and your partner agree) between a person under the age of 16 and a person 18 or older, also known as statutory rape.

Statutory Rape Laws

Statutory rape laws make it illegal to have sex with a minor because of the minor's age. In Nevada, people who are 18 or older are breaking the law if they have sex with someone who is younger than 16.

Statutory rape is a sexual offense. People convicted of statutory rape at either the gross misdemeanor or felony level are sexual offenders. This means they will be required to register as a sexual offender for life. This type of conviction cannot be removed from a criminal record.

A parent cannot give a person under the age of 16 permission to have sex with someone 18 or older. Even when the parent approves, it is still illegal and the older person can be arrested.