Rep. Warren's Child-Marriage Bill Signed Into Law

HARRISBURG, PA — A Bucks County lawmaker's bill to ban child marriage in Pennsylvania has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.

The bill, by state Rep. Perry Warren, of Yardley, was signed by the governor on Friday. It prohibits marriage before the age of 18.

"With Gov. Wolf's signature, Pennsylvania becomes the third state to protect its children by ending child marriage and sets an example for other states, including Minnesota, whose legislature this week also unanimously voted to end child marriage and where the bill awaits its governor’s signature," Warren said. "I am honored to be a part of Pennsylvania’s leadership in protecting our children."

The bipartisan bill was sponsored by Warren, a Democrat, and Republican Rep. Jesse Topper, who represents parts of Bedford, Fulton and Franklin counties.

Under previous state law, a marriage license could be issued to applicants 16-18 years old with the consent of a parent or guardian and to applicants younger than 16 with court approval.

Warren said studies have shown that children who marry before age 18 often are not in control of the decision, and do not have the legal rights of an adult. Child marriages increase the risk of domestic violence, he said.

Marriage license data from 2000 to 2010 reveals that in 38 states, more than 167,000 children were married – almost all of them girls and some as young as 12 – to men 18 or older.

Warren said the issue of child marriage was brought to his attention in 2017 by two constituents, including Newtown Borough Council President Tara Grunde-McLaughlin.

In signing the bill Friday, Wolf said setting the minimum marriage age at 18 will help prevent child exploitation.

"Marriage is a sacred and serious commitment that should be undertaken with love by two adults, not by children being exploited by unscrupulous adults," the governor said in a news release.

Before it passed, Warren's bill got an amendment dealing with the coronavirus epidemic.

The amendment allows applicants for a marriage license to forward an affidavit instead of appearing in person in counties where the Register of Wills office has been closed due to a disaster declaration.

"I have seen and heard heartwarming stories of couples who had planned weddings and receptions with family and friends, and though they were not able to have a public reception, still celebrated their wedding," Warren said. "The remote marriage license will allow more couples to begin their married life together."

Delaware and New Jersey passed similar laws prohibiting child marriage in 2018.