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Sam's News — world — 2026-10-01

World

6 California becomes 18th state to ban child marriage, effective January 1, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation prohibiting marriage for anyone under 18 in California, ending a practice still legal in 32 U.S. states. The law takes effect January 1 and was signed alongside child marriage survivor Courtney Stodden, who has championed the cause nationally.

  • California is the 18th state to ban child marriage since 2018
  • The ban takes effect January 1, 2025, requiring people to be 18 to marry
  • Governor Newsom signed the bill with Courtney Stodden, who was married to a 50-year-old actor at age 16 in 2011
  • Child marriage remains legal in 32 U.S. states
  • Advocacy group Unchained At Last reports approximately 9,000 girls have been affected by child marriage in the U.S.

Sources: BBC AI Web Searched