Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law banning all minors from getting married in New York State on Thursday, July 22.
“This administration fought hard to successfully end child marriage in New York and I’m proud to sign this legislation to strengthen our laws and further protect vulnerable children from exploitation,” Cuomo said.
“The cruel and callous practice of child marriage has traumatized too many children to count,” said State Assemblymember Phil Ramos (D–Long Island).
The new bill repeals that exception and prohibits any marriage in which either person is under the age of 18.
Anyone issuing a marriage license if one or both people are underage will be guilty of a misdemeanor and must pay $100, according to the bill.
“The vast majority of minors who enter a marriage are teenage girls, and getting married before adulthood often has devastating consequences for them,” said Salazar.
“Regardless of maturity level, minors lack sufficient legal rights and autonomy that they need to protect them if they enter a marriage contract before becoming adults.”. »