California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1267 (Pellerin, D-Santa Cruz) on Wednesday, banning child marriage in the state.
The bill, sponsored by Unchained at Last and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, repeals provisions that allowed a minor to enter into a marriage or domestic partnership with parental consent. It sets the state's minimum marriage and domestic partnership age at 18. Seventeen U.S. states have completely banned child marriage without exception.
Newsom signed the bill in his office with advocate Courtney Stodden, a survivor whose parents allowed her to marry 50-year-old actor Doug Hutchison when she was 16. Stodden has described the relationship as abusive and predatory, and it drew widespread public scrutiny. Since her divorce, she has publicly struggled with chronic depression and suicide attempts, and has become a national leader in the fight against child exploitation.
"This is a long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors. Today, California kids are safer than ever before," Newsom said.
"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," Stodden said. "I'm deeply grateful to Unchained At Last and every survivor who fought to make this possible — California is a victory, but I'm not stopping here. I will keep fighting until children are protected from marriage in all 50 states."
"The heart of this effort has always been the survivors," said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. "They told us what it means to be a child in a marriage you did not freely choose. They told us about coercion and abuse hidden behind the appearance of consent. They told us how difficult it can be for a minor to ask for help, find an attorney, leave home, or escape the very adults who are supposed to protect them. Because of them, California children are safer."