California took a decisive step to protect its youth on Wednesday when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 into law. The legislation, authored by Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin (D‑Santa Cruz), establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships throughout the state, eliminating the previous provision that permitted minors to marry with parental consent and court approval.
Why the change matters
Newsom emphasized that the measure is “long overdue” and that “California kids are safer than ever before.” The governor’s remarks echo the concerns of survivors and advocates who have long warned that child marriage can expose minors—particularly young girls—to coercion, abuse, and a lifetime of disadvantage.
Advocacy and data behind the bill
The bill was championed by the nonprofit group Unchained at Last and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. According to the governor’s office, 17 states have already enacted blanket bans on child marriage. California was one of only three states without a statutory minimum age, a gap highlighted by Tustin‑based Global Hope 365.
Global Hope 365 estimates that roughly 35,000 marriages involving minors occurred in California between 2000 and 2021, the majority involving underage girls married to adult men. Those numbers underscore the urgency of a uniform age floor.
Public figures weigh in
Media personality and former child‑marriage survivor Courtney Stodden joined Newsom for the signing ceremony. Stodden, who married actor Doug Hutchison at age 16, praised the law as a victory for survivors and vowed to continue fighting for a nationwide ban. “Governor Newsom’s action today made clear to me and to survivors of child marriage everywhere that we should never have been expected to carry this burden,” she said.
Stodden also noted that while Mississippi and New Mexico lack a statutory minimum age, other states have set lower thresholds under certain conditions. She expressed a desire to see Nevada raise its minimum age from 17 to 18, noting that her own experience in that state highlighted the need for uniform protection.
Local support and implementation
Resolutions backing the statewide minimum age were approved by 18 California cities, including 16 in Orange County as well as Culver City and Maywood in Los Angeles County. Assemblywoman Pellerin highlighted survivor testimony, noting that minors often face coercion, hidden abuse, and difficulty finding legal help.
With the law now signed, counties and courts will update their procedures to reflect the new age requirement. The change is expected to close a loophole that allowed some families to circumvent the intent of existing marriage laws.
What’s next?
Advocates plan to use California’s new standard as a model for the remaining states that have not yet set a minimum marriage age. The hope is that a unified approach will protect all children across the nation from entering into marriages they cannot freely consent to.
Governor Newsom’s action aligns with a broader national conversation about safeguarding minors and upholding family values rooted in faith and personal liberty.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
