Assembly unanimously bans child marriage in California

The Assembly voted unanimously to pass AB 12 67, a measure that sets the minimum marriage age at 18 with no exceptions and ends the practice of child marriage in California. Assemblymember Pellerin, the bill’s author, described the legislation as the culmination of nearly a decade of advocacy by survivors and advocates.

Several lawmakers including joint authors and co‑authors recounted survivor testimony and emphasized the bill’s consistency with other age‑of‑majority laws. Assemblymember Dixon, a joint author, said Girl Scouts and young witnesses urged lawmakers to protect children and highlighted the bipartisan nature of the effort. The clerk recorded the vote as Ayes 59, Noes 0. The statute, once enacted, will remove judge‑approval or parental‑consent exceptions that previously allowed minors to marry.