IT’S HAPPENING! Massachusetts legislators just voted to end child marriage — as we and our allies, led by Rep. Kay Khan and Sen. Harriette Chandler, have been pushing them to do for SIX YEARS. !!
The ban on marriage before age 18 was included in this year’s state budget, which now heads to Gov. Charlie Baker for his signature.
Currently minors of any age may be entered into marriage in Massachusetts by a parent and a judge, without any input required from the minor. And once married, the minor is trapped: They may not enter a domestic violence shelter or even file independently for divorce.
If you live in Massachusetts, please contact Gov. Baker here and urge him to make Massachusetts the seventh U.S. state to end child marriage. And then let’s move on to the eighth state.
