Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024

25th Council Period (2023-2024) Introduced by Brooke Pinto

Sets minimum marriage age to 18 in DC, banning marriages under 18 and limiting parental consent or judicial exceptions to protect minors.

Final Reading, CC

Overview

Bill number: B 25-0955

Title: Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024

Introduced: September 16, 2024 (Councilmember Pinto)

Current status: Final Reading, CC (Final Reading held 2024-12-17)

Classification: Bill

Note: The legislative text of the bill was not provided. This summary is based on the bill title and the available legislative history. For definitive provisions and operative language, consult the bill text or the Committee Report filed 2024-11-26.

Purpose / Intent

By its title, the bill intends to prohibit or substantially restrict child marriage within the District of Columbia. The general policy objective is to prevent minors from entering legally recognized marriages and to eliminate mechanisms that previously allowed marriages involving persons under the age of 18.

Key provisions (based on title and typical provisions in similar laws)

The bill likely includes one or more of the following (please verify against the official text):
- Establishing a minimum legal marriage age of 18 for all persons.
- Removing or limiting exceptions that previously allowed minors to marry with parental consent and/or judicial authorization.
- Amending District laws and administrative rules governing marriage licenses to conform to the new age requirement.
- Providing enforcement mechanisms and specifying penalties or administrative remedies for violations.
- Addressing recognition of out-of-jurisdiction marriages involving minors (e.g., whether such marriages will be recognized in D.C.).
- Providing an effective date for the amendments and any transitional provisions.

Who is affected

Minors and persons nearing legal adulthood (under 18): would be prevented from entering marriage.

Parents, guardians, and family members who previously could consent to minor marriage.

Courts and judicial officers if judicial exceptions are removed or limited.

Marriage license clerks and the District Department administering vital records.

Any service providers or programs connected to marriage, child welfare, or family law.

Legislative timeline (key steps)

2024-09-16: Introduced by Councilmember Pinto

2024-10-01: Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

2024-10-04 to 2024-10-21: Public notice and hearing process (notice published; public hearing held 10/21/2024)

2024-11-22 to 2024-11-26: Committee mark-up and Committee Report filed by the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee

2024-12-03: First Reading, CC

2024-12-17: Final Reading, CC

Next steps / status considerations

“Final Reading” indicates the Council considered the bill at the final stage; check Council records to confirm whether the bill passed and whether it was subsequently enacted, vetoed, or transmitted to the Mayor.

Consult the Committee Report (filed 2024-11-26) and the final bill text for precise language, exceptions, effective date, and any fiscal impact statement.

For implementation details (forms, training for marriage license staff, interagency coordination), monitor agency rulemaking and administrative guidance after enactment.

For the exact statutory amendments, effective dates, and any exceptions or grandfathering language, refer to the official bill text and the committee report available from the Council of the District of Columbia.

Bill