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.
18 Articles
18 Articles
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 […]
Cal Matters
California bans child marriage after 9-year fight to outlaw the practice
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law prohibiting marriage for people under 18. Liberal civil rights organizations fought previous efforts to ban the practice.
California to ban child marriage in 2027 after Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After years of lobbying from women’s rights advocates and child marriage survivors, California will ban child marriages starting next year. Current law allowed exemptions for minors under 18 who obtain parental permission and a court order. Assembly…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
