Archive · 1 Oct 2026
California Bans Child Marriage, Leaving 32 States Still Permissive
California has made a new law against child marriage.
This means children in the state will not be able to marry after January 1, 2027.
Tasneem said getting the law passed took a very long time.
They called the effort a “marathon.”
Other survivors also supported the change.
However, California is only one state.
The report says 32 other United States still permit child marriage.
Advocates now want those states to change their laws too.
California’s bill banning child marriage has become law.
Children in California will no longer be able to marry after January 1, 2027.
Tasneem described the bill’s passage as a “marathon.”
Survivors including Tasneem and Stodden welcomed the California change.
The broader campaign now focuses on whether the remaining 32 states will change their laws.
- Who
- California, child-marriage survivors including Tasneem and Stodden, and advocates seeking changes in other states.
- What
- California enacted a law banning child marriage.
- When
- The new restriction applies after January 1, 2027.
- Where
- California and the 32 other United States that still permit child marriage.
- Why
- The California change is part of a broader campaign by survivors and advocates to end child marriage in more states.
- Policy change
- California’s child-marriage ban became law.
- Effective date
- Children in California will no longer be able to marry after January 1, 2027.
- States still permitting child marriage
- 32 United States permit it, according to the report.
- Reaction
- Tasneem called the legislative effort a “marathon.”
- Broader campaign
- Survivors and advocates are seeking additional changes beyond California.