California becomes 18th state to ban child marriage with new legislation

California has officially outlawed child marriage, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing legislation that sets the minimum marriage age at 18. The new law, which takes effect on January 1, positions the Golden State as the 18th US jurisdiction to ban the practice since 2018, despite it remaining legal in 32 other states across the country.

During the signing ceremony, Governor Newsom described the legislation as a “long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors.” He was joined by Courtney Stodden, a prominent advocate against child marriage whose own marriage to 50-year-old actor Doug Hutchison at age 16 sparked international controversy in 2011 and appeared on reality television shows such as VH1’s Couples Therapy.

Stodden hailed the signing as a “victory” for survivors, stating that those who endured child marriage should “never have been expected to carry this burden.” She added that she would continue her advocacy until children are protected from marriage in all 50 states.

Previously, California had no statutory minimum age for marriage, allowing children to wed with parental consent and judicial approval. Furthermore, the state lacked a legal mechanism for individuals under 18 to obtain a divorce, leaving many trapped in abusive relationships. Advocacy group Unchained At Last estimates that approximately 9,000 girls are married annually in California, with nearly all such unions involving girls married to adult men.

Brittany Bee, who was married at 17 to escape an abusive home only to allegedly face abuse from her husband, told the BBC that the ban sends a global message of hope. “Kids can’t consent,” Bee said, rejecting the notion that child brides make a choice. “I was just going from one prison to another.”