California Senate unanimously backs bill to ban child marriage

The California Senate has unanimously backed Assembly Bill 1267, a measure intended to ban child marriage by establishing 18 as the state's minimum marriage age with no exceptions. Currently, California law allows minors to marry if they obtain written consent from a parent or guardian and approval from a judge.

Advocates for the bill, including the California Catholic Conference and former child bride Courtney Stodden, argue that the current loopholes leave minors vulnerable to coercion, statutory rape, and human trafficking. Stodden, who married an adult at age 16, has lobbied lawmakers to highlight how marriage licenses do not provide children with adult resources or freedom.

If passed, the bill would move California toward a standard held by most other states, as it is currently among a group of states without a strict minimum age requirement.