Applaud California for Banning Child Marriage

California lawmakers just passed a landmark bill to finally end child marriage in the state. Assembly Bill 1267, authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, would repeal the law that let minors marry with one parent's consent and a judge's approval.

Until now, California was one of only three states with no minimum marriage age at all. Nearly 24,000 minors were married there between 2000 and 2018, the second-highest total in the country, according to the nonprofit Unchained At Last.

The bill cleared the Assembly 66-8 and passed the Senate unanimously. "We're unfortunately late to this movement," Pellerin said, "but it is absolutely incredible that children now will have this protection."

The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk. If he signs it, the ban takes effect January 1, 2027, closing a loophole that has left thousands of children without protection for decades.

Add your name to applaud California lawmakers for banning child marriage and protecting kids from a practice most of the country left behind years ago.