California, one of just three US states with no minimum legal age for marriage, is now on the brink of banning the practice for anyone under 18 as lawmakers move to close the last remaining loopholes that allow children to wed.
The State Assembly recently advanced a bill that would establish a minimum marriage age of 18 without exceptions. The legislation received 'no' votes from eight Republicans. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, who authored the initiative, argued that ending child marriage is essential to safeguard minors from sexual assault and exploitation.
