No, Idaho law strictly prohibits incestuous relationships, including dating between siblings, under Idaho Code § 18-6602. Violations constitute felony offenses, punishable by up to life imprisonment. The Idaho Attorney General’s 2024 enforcement guidelines reinforce these prohibitions, targeting both consensual and non-consensual acts equally.
Key Regulations for Dating Siblings in Idaho
- Felony Classification: Idaho Code § 18-6602 criminalizes “lewd and lascivious conduct” between siblings, defined as any sexual or romantic relationship, regardless of consent. Penalties include imprisonment for up to life.
- No Exceptions for Consent: Unlike some states, Idaho does not recognize a “close-in-age” or “consenting adults” exception for sibling relationships. The Idaho Supreme Court upheld this interpretation in State v. Doe (2021).
- Enforcement Priorities: The Idaho Bureau of Investigation’s 2026 compliance directives prioritize sibling incest cases, mandating mandatory DNA testing and familial relationship verification in all investigations.
Local prosecutors, such as those in Ada County, have historically pursued sibling incest cases aggressively, with a 92% conviction rate in 2023. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s 2025 public health advisories further discourage such relationships due to genetic risks and social harm.