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HB 6918

AN ACT PROHIBITING FIRST COUSIN MARRIAGE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Blumenthal and 2 co-sponsors

HB 6918 bans marriage between first cousins in the state, prohibiting new first-cousin marriages and requiring licensing offices to enforce the prohibition.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
#marriage
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Bill Summary · HB 6918

Summary — HB 6918: "An Act Prohibiting First Cousin Marriage"

Status: Signed by Governor (Public Act No. 25‑72)
Introduced: February 10, 2025
Subject: Marriage

Purpose / Intent

HB 6918’s primary purpose is to prohibit marriages between first cousins. The bill amends the state’s marriage law framework to restrict the ability of first cousins to marry in the state.

Key provisions (as indicated by bill title and status)

  • Prohibition on first‑cousin marriages: The enacted bill removes or adds statutory language to bar marriage between persons who are first cousins.
  • Statutory implementation: The bill would amend the state’s marriage statutes and licensing procedures to reflect the prohibition (for example, by directing that marriage licenses not be issued to first cousins and by defining the legal status of such marriages).
  • Enactment: The bill became law as Public Act 25‑72 upon completion of the legislative process and gubernatorial action.

Note: The posted record does not include the full text of the enacted language. The exact statutory wording — including definitions (how “first cousin” is defined), whether existing first‑cousin marriages are recognized or voided, any exceptions or grandfathering provisions, and enforcement/penalty mechanisms — should be confirmed by reading Public Act 25‑72.

Who is affected

  • Couples who are first cousins seeking to marry in the state: they would be barred from entering into a new valid marriage under state law subject to the enacted text.
  • Local registrars, town clerks, and agencies that issue marriage licenses: they will need to apply the new statutory prohibition when processing applications.
  • Courts and family law practitioners: will be affected in matters involving marriage validity, dissolution, inheritance, and related legal determinations.
  • Vital records offices and related administrative systems: may require updates to forms, guidance, and record‑keeping practices.

Legislative timeline / procedural history

  • Feb 10, 2025 — Introduced; referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
  • Feb 26, 2025 — Public hearing held
  • April–May 2025 — Reported favorably and passed the House (May 15) and Senate (June 2)
  • June 16, 2025 — Transmitted to Secretary of the State and then to Governor
  • June 23, 2025 — Signed by the Governor; enacted as Public Act No. 25‑72

Next steps / practical considerations

To understand the precise legal effect (effective date, definitions, treatment of existing marriages, penalties, and administrative requirements), consult the enacted Public Act 25‑72 text and any implementing guidance issued by the Department of Public Health or the Secretary of the State. Legal practitioners should monitor administrative updates to marriage license forms and clerks’ procedures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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