COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers has introduced legislation that would prohibit anyone under 18 from getting married, aiming to eliminate remaining exceptions that allow some 17-year-olds to wed with court approval.
State Sens. Bill Blessing (R-Colerain Township) and Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) are leading the Senate effort, with companion legislation sponsored in the House by Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-New Waterford). The proposal would establish 18 as the firm minimum age for marriage in Ohio.
Supporters highlighted testimony from Stephanie Lowry, a survivor of child marriage, who said she was forced to marry at 16 after becoming pregnant. “Child marriage made my life harder than it ever needed to be,” she said at a Statehouse press conference.
According to data cited by advocacy group Unchained At Last, more than 5,000 minors have married in Ohio since 2000. While the state enacted reforms in 2019 setting 17 as the minimum age with restrictions, critics say loopholes remain.
Lawmakers acknowledged past compromises were needed to secure incremental reforms. Blessing said the measure should be “cut and dry,” while DeMora pledged strong opposition to any pushback.
Senate President Rob McColley said he expects the chamber will likely pass the bill.
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