California bans child marriage after Newsom signs law
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law that makes 18 the minimum age to marry in California, effective January 1.
California has moved to end child marriage within its borders after Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that sets 18 as the minimum age to marry in the state.
The new law, which takes effect on January 1, closes a gap that previously allowed minors to be married under certain circumstances and comes amid ongoing national debate: child marriages remain legal in 32 U.S. states.
Signatures and survivors
"This is a long-awaited measure to protect California's minors," Newsom said as he signed the bill. The governor signed the measure alongside Courtney Stodden, a high-profile survivor of a teenage marriage.
Stodden, whose marriage at age 16 to a then 50-year-old Hollywood actor drew international attention, welcomed the California law and vowed to press for broader change. "I will keep fighting until children are protected from marriage in all 50 states," she said.
Supporters of the law say it will close loopholes that allowed underage marriages through judicial approval or parental consent. Opponents have raised concerns in some quarters about limiting exceptions for certain cultural or religious practices, but the bill’s passage signals California’s intent to set a stricter standard.
Photo: Iks)
