California Outlaws Child Marriage, Which Remains Legal in 32 US States
Story By Staff Reporter
CALIFORNIA has formally outlawed child marriage after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill ending a practice that remains permitted in 32 other US states.
Beginning 1 January, anyone wishing to marry in the Golden State must be at least 18.
Describing the legislation as a “long overdue” step to safeguard young Californians, Newsom put his signature to it alongside Courtney Stodden, who was allowed by her parents to wed a 50-year-old Hollywood actor at just 16.
Stodden, a longtime campaigner against child marriage, hailed the move as a “victory.” She said those who have lived through it should “never have been expected to carry this burden,” and vowed to continue the fight until minors are shielded from marriage in every US state.
Her 2011 marriage to actor Doug Hutchison, whose credits include The Green Mile, A Time to Kill and I Am Sam, drew international headlines and led to appearances on US reality shows, among them VH1’s Couples Therapy.
Other survivors also welcomed the change. Brittany Bee, who was married as a child, said California had “sent a clear message to the world.”
Roughly ten years ago, child marriage was still legal throughout the country, but a growing number of states have since changed their laws. California becomes the 18th state to prohibit it since 2018.
Reporting based on original coverage by BBC.
