California Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Ban Underage Marriage
California's State Senate has unanimously passed AB 1267, moving the state closer to banning underage marriage. Previously, California was one of three states allowing marriage for children of any age with parental and court approval.
Sacramento Stockton Modesto, CA, August 22, 2026 —
The California State Senate has taken a significant step towards prohibiting marriage for individuals under the age of 18, with the unanimous passage of Assembly Bill 1267. This legislative action moves the state closer to aligning with national trends and concerns regarding child marriage.
Prior to this development, California was among a limited number of states that permitted marriage for minors, provided they obtained both parental consent and court approval. The specifics of the previous legal framework allowed for marriages involving individuals of any age, contingent on these judicial and familial permissions.
The passage of AB 1267 by the State Senate indicates a broad consensus on the need to revise the state’s laws concerning marriage and minors. The bill now proceeds to further legislative stages for consideration.
The exact details regarding the timeline for the bill’s enactment or any specific implementation phases were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Sierra Krug on fox40.com, see more information here.
