An Ohio bill aims to ban marriage for anyone under 18, removing existing exceptions and drawing support from advocacy groups and survivors.
Ohio Bill to Ban Marriage for Under 18
Ohio lawmakers are considering new legislation that would prohibit marriage for anyone under the age of 18, removing current exceptions that allow some 17-year-olds to marry.
The proposal, Senate Bill 341, was introduced by Bill DeMora and Louis Blessing III. If passed, the bill would establish 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage in all cases across the state.
Under current Ohio law, 17-year-olds may marry if they complete premarital counseling, receive approval from a juvenile court, and meet specific legal conditions. The proposed legislation would eliminate these provisions entirely.
During a recent hearing at the Statehouse, dozens of supporters testified in favor of the bill. Advocacy groups, including Unchained at Last, argued that allowing minors to marry can expose them to significant risks.
Executive Director Fraidy Reiss told lawmakers that minors in marriages often face legal and financial barriers, particularly when trying to leave abusive situations. She noted that individuals under 18 may struggle to access legal representation, file for divorce, or seek shelter services.
Supporters also included individuals who said they experienced child marriage firsthand. Testimony highlighted challenges such as financial dependency, limited access to support systems, and long-term personal impacts.
According to data presented during the hearing, thousands of minors have entered into marriage in Ohio over the past two decades, with some cases occurring under current legal provisions.
Michele Hanash of the AHA Foundation said minors may be particularly vulnerable to coercion or pressure, making it difficult to refuse or exit a marriage.
If approved, Ohio would join a growing number of states that have set 18 as the minimum marriage age without exceptions.
The bill is expected to undergo additional hearings, where opponents will have the opportunity to present their views.
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