California Enacts Law to Ban Child Marriage
New Legislation in California
File image of California Governor Gavin Newsom(Photo: IANS)
Washington, Oct 1: California's Governor Gavin Newsom has officially enacted a law prohibiting marriage for individuals under the age of 18, eliminating previous allowances for minors to wed with parental consent.
The new law, known as AB 1267, also establishes 18 as the minimum age for entering into a domestic partnership, as stated by the governor's office. This legislation was introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Gail Pellerin from Santa Cruz.
Newsom signed the bill in his office on Wednesday, accompanied by Courtney Stodden, an advocate who was married at 16 to 50-year-old actor Doug Hutchison.
In a statement, Newsom remarked, "This is a long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors. Today, California kids are safer than ever before."
The legislation replaces previous provisions that allowed minors to enter marriages or domestic partnerships with an age requirement of 18. The initiative was supported by Unchained At Last, an organization fighting against child marriage, and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Stodden expressed her gratitude for the signing and emphasized that the campaign would extend beyond California's borders.
"Governor Newsom's action today made it clear to me and to survivors of child marriage everywhere that we should never have been expected to carry this burden," Stodden stated.
"I'm deeply thankful to Unchained At Last and every survivor who fought to make this possible -- California is a victory, but I will continue to advocate until children are protected from marriage in all 50 states."
The governor's office highlighted Stodden as a survivor of child marriage who has become a national advocate against child exploitation following her divorce. Stodden has described her relationship with Hutchison as abusive and predatory.
During the signing event, supporters shared the challenges minors face when attempting to exit marriages that were arranged or sanctioned by adults.
Pellerin acknowledged the vital role of survivors in shaping the legislation, stating that their experiences revealed how parental approval could mask coercion.
"The heart of this effort has always been the survivors," Pellerin remarked.
"They shared what it means to be a child in a marriage that was not freely chosen. They recounted experiences of coercion and abuse hidden behind the facade of consent."
She also pointed out the difficulties young individuals encounter when seeking assistance, especially when the adults responsible for their care are involved in the marriage.
"They explained how challenging it can be for a minor to seek help, find legal representation, leave home, or escape the very adults who are meant to protect them. Thanks to their voices, California children are now safer."
This legislative change applies to both marriage and domestic partnerships, with the governor's office confirming that it repeals provisions allowing minors to enter either arrangement with parental consent.
Marriage laws in the United States are primarily determined by state legislation. Minimum ages and exceptions vary across different jurisdictions, making the effort to ban child marriage a state-by-state initiative rather than a singular nationwide reform.
According to the governor's office, 17 states in the U.S. have completely prohibited child marriage without exceptions. Unchained At Last continues to advocate for a nationwide minimum marriage age of 18, with survivors like Stodden pushing for similar legislation across the country.