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Bill

HB 647

RELATING TO MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Della Belatti and 11 co-sponsors

HB 647 restricts marriage of minors in Hawaii; referred to committees and pending 2026 session action.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#legalage #marriage
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Bill Summary · HB 647

Legislative bill overview

HB 647 proposes restrictions on marriage involving minors in Hawaii, though the specific provisions are not detailed in the available legislative record. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee (HLT) and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee (JHA) for review. As of December 2025, it was carried over to the 2026 legislative session without final passage.

Why is this important

Child marriage remains a documented practice in some U.S. states, with potential impacts on education, health outcomes, and economic opportunity. Hawaii's legislative action reflects growing national momentum to establish age protections in marriage law, though the specific age thresholds and exceptions proposed in HB 647 would determine its practical effect.

Potential points of contention

  • Age threshold definition: Disagreement likely over minimum marriage age (16, 17, 18) and whether exceptions for parental/judicial consent should exist
  • Religious and cultural exemptions: Tension between protecting minors and respecting diverse cultural marriage traditions
  • Practical enforcement mechanisms: Questions about how restrictions would be enforced and what penalties apply to violations

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

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