Newsom Signs Bill Banning Child Marriage in California
The law sets the marriage age at 18 and repeals prior exceptions after more than nine years of advocacy by survivors and lawmakers.
- On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267, banning marriage for anyone under 18 in California with no exceptions. California becomes the 18th state to implement such a prohibition.
- Until recently, California was one of three states with no minimum age to wed, alongside New Mexico and Mississippi. For nearly 10 years, lawmakers and advocates pushed to close the parental consent loophole.
- Survivor Christina Sutton influenced the bill's advancement by testifying before Senate and Assembly Judiciary committees. Sutton stated, "I'm honored to stand by Assemblymember Pellerin, who refused to let survivors like me be ignored."
- The American Civil Liberties Union opposed the measure citing concerns about legal protections for minors, while Planned Parenthood stopped fighting the proposal this year following Trump administration efforts to defund clinics in 2025.
- Effective Jan. 1, 2027, the law repeals provisions allowing minors to marry or enter domestic partnerships. Pellerin emphasized, "Children are children, and marriage is an adult decision.
30 Articles
30 Articles
California bans child marriage: These 32 US states still allow minors to marry; 2 have no minimum age
California has officially outlawed child marriage, raising the minimum marriage age to 18 years. Governor Gavin Newsom signed this pivotal legislation, which will be implemented starting January 1, 2027. Historically, child marriage was permitted nationwide; however, legal frameworks are evolving, as 32 states still allow minors to marry under various conditions. The increasing focus on this issue highlights a significant shift in societal value…
Child marriage has been banned in California, which is still allowed in 32 states in the U.S. From <p>January 1, 2027, in California, marriage will only be allowed from the age of 18. The state became the 18th in the United States to ban child marriage.</p>
CALIFORNIA has banned child marriage with a new law that takes effect on January 1 and sets the minimum age for marriage at 18. The decision comes after a long-running fight by victims and activists.
MyNewsLA.com
KESQNewsom Signs Child Marriage Ban Sought by Tustin Group
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday setting 18 as California’s minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships, a change sought for years by Tustin-based Global Hope 365. Assembly Bill 1267, authored by Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin, D-Santa Cruz, repeals provisions allowing minors to marry or enter domestic partnerships with parental consent. “This is a long overdue […]
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