California passes a law that bans child marriage and ends the practice for minors in the state. Governor Gavin Newsom signs the measure, making 18 the minimum age for marriage and for domestic partnerships.
The law takes effect on January 1, 2027. Supporters, including advocacy groups, cite the harm caused by child marriage and point to occurrences in California in the past. Survivor accounts in multiple reports describe relief at ending legal access for minors, and some call for similar reforms elsewhere.
Other outlets also place the change in national context, noting that child marriage remains legal in many parts of the United States, including in 32 states. BBC Sport and Newsweek underline this contrast with a broader map-based view of where the practice is still permitted, while Newsweek and NDTV focus on Newsom’s rationale that the step is overdue and intended to protect young people and minors.
