Oklahoma could soon become the 16th state in the United States to expressly ban child marriage, after a bipartisan bill was approved and sent to the governor for his signature.
Senate Bill 504 would eliminate parts of state law that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent. She worked with legislators along with Brigitte Combs, a survivor of child marriage.
“I am so relieved and grateful that this law passed. As a survivor of child marriage, this vote gives me hope for a safer future for children and honors the survivors and advocates whose courage made it possible,” Combs stated. “Thank you to Senator Hamilton, Representative Miller, all co-authors, the Tahirih Justice Center and other advocacy organizations, and every survivor who spoke out.”
Combs called on Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt to sign the law “to protect all Oklahoma boys and girls and to serve as an example to other states.”
The project approved last March in the state Senate was promoted by Republican Senator Warren Hamilton and co-sponsored by Democrat Designate Mann.
The mirror initiative in the state House of Representatives was led by Republican Rep. Nicole Miller, with co-sponsorship by Democrats Mickey Dollens, Michelle McCane, Jared Deck, Annie Menz and Andy Fugate.
After its approval this Wednesday, with 51 votes to 36, the project now goes to Governor Stitt for his signature.
If Sttit signs the legislation, the law would go into effect on November 1, 2026, although it will not affect marriages celebrated before its enactment.
Casey Carter Swegman, public policy director at the Tahirih Justice Center, celebrated the bipartisan work of lawmakers.
“We are extremely pleased that the Oklahoma Legislature has voted to ensure that no minor is ever again subjected to the abusive and exploitative contract that is child marriage. Since I began working with Brigitte Combs many years ago, I have been constantly inspired by her leadership, her effectiveness, and her unwavering dedication to justice for girls,” said Carter Swegman. “We wouldn’t be here today without her. Once this law is passed, Oklahoma girls will be safer thanks to her efforts and the bravery of all the other survivors who are speaking out, telling their story and demanding change.”
The danger of child marriage in the United States
Child marriage mainly affects girls. There are more than 300,000 cases between 2000 and 2018 of girls marrying men. It is made clear as a child marriage when one or both parties are under 18 years of age.
“Marriage before age 18 has devastating lifelong consequences, including increased vulnerability to sexual and domestic violence, increased physical and mental health problems, higher school dropout rates, increased risk of poverty, and up to 80% higher divorce rates,” reports the Tahirih Justice Center.
Currently, child marriage is acceptable in 34 states, and in 4 US states a minimum age for marriage is not required, with the authorization of parents or a judge, warns the organization Equality Now.
In California there is no express ban on child marriage, as in other states, including New York, which since July 2021 became the sixth US state to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 years without exceptions. The law was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
