Missouri Senators give initial approval to ban child marriage

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Senate is moving forward on legislation to raise the minimum age of marriage in Missouri.

Currently, in the Show-Me State, 16 and 17-year-olds can get married to anyone under the age of 21 as long as they have parental consent. Senate Bill 767 would eliminate that loophole by prohibiting marriage licenses for anyone under the age of 18. Those supporting the bipartisan legislation say this protects children from physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

“We’re not telling someone they can’t marry the person they love; we’re just saying that children aren’t allowed to engage in legal contracts until they are 18,” Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, said.

Missouri is on the path to joining nearly a dozen other states in banning child marriage.

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Megan Mueller, Emily Manley, ozarksfirst.com)