When was the Romeo and Juliet law passed?

Answer 1

Georgia was the first state in the US to enact "Romeo & Juliet" legislation. HB 1316, Statutory rape; penalty provisions was first read in the House 13 February 1996, and was enacted into state law in its present appearance 1 July 1996. The law currently reads:

O.C.G.A. § 16-6-3. Statutory rape.

(a) A person commits the offense of statutory rape when he or she engages in sexual intercourse with any person under the age of 16 years and not his or her spouse, provided that no conviction shall be had for this offense on the unsupported testimony of the victim.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this Code section, a person convicted of the offense of statutory rape shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years; provided, however, that if the person so convicted is 21 years of age or older, such person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten nor more than 20 years. Any person convicted under this subsection of the offense of statutory rape shall, in addition, be subject to the sentencing and punishment provisions of Code Section 17-10-6.2.

(c) If the victim is at least 14 but less than 16 years of age and the person convicted of statutory rape is 18 years of age or younger and is no more than four years older than the victim, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Note that only the third paragraph addresses the issue of age differences, and it does not preclude charges or conviction, but only reduces the potential to a misdemeanor.

Answer 2

If you're in the US, the laws vary by state, so it would depend on which state it is. Also, be aware that not every state has a "Romeo and Juliet law"