California is one step closer to banning child marriage after state senators unanimously backed a bill that would set the legal marriage age at 18 with no exceptions.
Former child bride Courtney Stodden celebrated the vote as “incredible news” on Instagram after Assembly Bill 1267 cleared the California Senate, with every senator voting in favor.
“I was 16 when I was married to a 51-year-old man. I know what can happen when adults and the law call abuse a marriage,” Stodden wrote.
The bill would establish 18 as California’s minimum marriage age—eliminating exceptions that currently allow minors to wed with court and parental involvement.
Stodden, who married then-51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison at 16 with their parents’ consent, has become an outspoken advocate for ending child marriage.
“I’ve gone back and forth to Sacramento, telling these lawmakers what it actually means for a child to be legally married to an adult,” Stodden said in the Instagram video.
“A marriage license does not suddenly give the child the power or resources or freedom of an adult.”
“California is still one of only 33 states with no minimum age to marry. For a state that believes it’s progressive, it still has no legal floor protecting a child from marriage,” she continued.
Under current California law, a judge must interview a minor and a parent or guardian before approving a marriage license to check for coercion.
Because minors cannot legally enter contracts without parental consent, Stodden’s mother approved the marriage on their behalf.
The unanimous Senate vote marks a major victory for AB 1267, but the legislation still faces challenges.
Stodden said the bill will now head to the Assembly Judiciary Committee and urged Californians to contact their Assembly members to support it.
“This is a huge victory but it is not over yet,” Stodden wrote.
“Children should be protected. Not married.”
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