Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(116,554 posts)
Tue May 14, 2019, 06:25 PM May 2019

Bill would set a minimum marrying age in Pennsylvania. And no, we don't already have one.

How old do you have to be to get married in Pennsylvania? Twenty-one? Sixteen? Fourteen?

Actually there is no minimum age. But legislation that won unanimous approval by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday seeks to change that by setting 18 as the minimum age to marry in the commonwealth.

House Bill 360, sponsored by Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford County, now moves to the full House for consideration. A similar bill offered by Sen. John Sabatina, D-Philadelphia, awaits action in the Senate.

Unchained at Last, a national organization dedicated to ending child marriage, estimates nearly a quarter million of girls under 18 were coerced into marriage between 2000 and 2010. U.S. Census data shows that, as of 2014, an estimated 2,323 children age 15 to 17 living in Pennsylvania had already been married. Oftentimes, it’s adult men these girls are marrying.

Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/bill-would-set-a-minimum-marrying-age-in-pennsylvania-and-no-we-dont-already-have-one.html

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Bill would set a minimum marrying age in Pennsylvania. And no, we don't already have one. (Original Post) TexasTowelie May 2019 OP
Will this effect the Amish and Mennonite Funtatlaguy May 2019 #1
I didn't read anything about a religious exemption. nt TexasTowelie May 2019 #2
It's shocking that in the 21st century many states don't. lindysalsagal May 2019 #3
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Pennsylvania»Bill would set a minimum ...