'We don't want our girls to get married': Push to raise wedding age to 18

Feb 18, 20200

Elizabeth Flores – Star Tribune count

Supporters of a child marriage ban made their way to the State Capitol rotunda Thursday, Feb. 13 in St. Paul. Sen. Sandy Pappas and Rep. Kaohly Her unveiled the End Child Marriage Bill, eliminating the loophole allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to marry.

An effort to raise Minnesota's legal marriage age to 18 without exception appears to be gaining traction at the State Capitol this year.

Existing state law allows 16- and 17-year-olds in the state to wed with permission from a parent and a judge's approval. But some lawmakers want to fully ban the practice for anyone under 18, citing concerns that the loophole leads to forced marriages, teen pregnancies and a loss in educational opportunities.

http://www.startribune.com/we-don-t-want-our-girls-to-get-married-push-to-raise-wedding-age-to-18/567952632/