Bill banning marriages under age 16 passes in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A child marriage bill is heading to the West Virginia governor’s desk after lawmakers agreed to let 16- and 17-year-olds get married with restrictions.

The bill was passed by the House of Delegates 83-9, without any debate on Saturday. This came after the Senate approved it easily after amending an earlier House version. Republican Governor. Jim Justice has not publicly stated whether he will sign it.

Children can legally marry in West Virginia at 16 years old with parental consent. Anyone younger than that, regardless of their age, can get married with a waiver from a judge.

The Saturday bill that was passed would make it illegal for anyone younger than 16 to marry. The law would make it impossible for anyone between 16 and 17 to marry someone older than they are. Existing legal marriages, even those in other states, will not be affected.

Although the Senate Judiciary Committee had rejected the bill on Wednesday night, it was believed that the bill was dead. However, the bill was voted into law. Sen. Charles Trump has revived it On Thursday, the Senate floor was moved to Friday’s final vote. Saturday marked the end of the legislative session.