Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation banning child marriage in California, repealing provisions that previously allowed minors to enter marriage with parental consent and setting the state's minimum marriage and domestic partnership age at 18.
The bill, AB 1267, was signed in the Governor's office in the presence of Courtney Stodden, a survivor of child marriage and an advocate against the practice. Stodden was legally married to actor Doug Hutchison when she was 16 and he was 50, a relationship she has described as abusive and predatory.
"This is a long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors. Today, California kids are safer than ever before," Newsom said regarding the legislation.
The bill was sponsored by Unchained at Last and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Seventeen U.S. states have completely banned child marriage without exception.