Gov. Newsom Signs Law Banning Child Marriage in California
- California has become the 18th state in the nation to ban child marriage after Gov.
- Authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a Democrat from Santa Cruz, and coauthored by 38 other lawmakers, the bill passed through the California Senate and State Assembly without a...
- Prior iterations of the bill stumbled in legislative committees, including a stall in 2024 before a committee led by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, a Democrat from San Jose.
California has become the 18th state in the nation to ban child marriage after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 into law. The legislation sets the minimum age for marriage at 18, closing loopholes that previously made California one of just four states without any minimum age for marriage. Sara Tasneem, a survivor forced into marriage at age 15, stood behind the governor as he signed the measure, marking the end of a nine-year legislative campaign. “Frankly, it’s surreal,” Tasneem said. “To have the governor actually sign the bill in front of me was a bit shocking. … After he signed it, I just broke down crying because it was such an impactful moment for me and just a huge moment for all of the survivors who have been fighting for this.”
California Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning Child Marriage
Authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a Democrat from Santa Cruz, and coauthored by 38 other lawmakers, the bill passed through the California Senate and State Assembly without a single opposing vote. Previous state laws permitted individuals of any age to marry provided they secured the permission of a parent and a judge. Pellerin noted that organizations like the United Nations Children’s Fund and Human Rights Watch classify child marriage as both child abuse and a human rights abuse. Marrying before 18 exposes minors to high rates of abuse, financial dependence, and a lack of access to education. “It was so heartwarming to see the survivors finally be recognized and to validate their life experiences and to know that we never want any other child to go through what they’ve gone through,” Pellerin said.
Past Opposition Argued Against Banning Underage Marriage
Prior iterations of the bill stumbled in legislative committees, including a stall in 2024 before a committee led by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, a Democrat from San Jose. Opponents in past sessions—including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Northern California, ACLU California Action, and the National Center for Youth Law—argued that banning underage marriage would restrict rights for minors who willingly wished to marry or could drive abusive relationships underground. Advocates countered that lowering the age below 18 would water down the law, noting that 96% of minors forced into marriage are 16 or 17 years old. The legislative logjam broke this year when Planned Parenthood agreed to adopt a neutral stance on the measure. Fraidy Reiss, co-founder of the organization Unchained at Last and a survivor herself, praised the outcome. “This is a huge victory. We have banned a human rights abuse that destroys girls’ lives here in the Golden State, and this sets us up well to do the same in states around the world,” Reiss said.