Missouri Bans Child Marriage in Sweeping Child Welfare bill

Missouri becomes the 16th state to end child marriage in the USA.  

Missouri Governor signs HB 737, which among other protections for children, bans child marriage under age 18.
https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-signs-legislation-protecting-missouris-most-vulnerable

Clara Bates: Missouri Independent

A sweeping child welfare bill that would ban child marriage and prohibit the state from seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits is headed to the governor’s desk, after the Missouri Senate gave it final approval Tuesday on a 32 to 1 vote.

The sole no vote was Republican state Sen. Mike Moon of Ash Grove.

The bill garnered little opposition when it cleared the House last week 129 to 14, though a group of Republican lawmakers condemned the provision making it illegal for anyone under 18 years old to marry.

“There are legitimate reasons for people 16, 17 to become married,” said state Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Savannah Republican, who was also vocal in his opposition to the idea last year. “A pregnancy could be a legitimate reason to become married, for one thing.”

He said he knows many couples who were married at 16 or 17 who are still together.

State Rep. Hardy Billington, a Poplar Bluff Republican, said “more babies will die” if the bill passes.

“People at 16, 17 years old will have more abortions because they can’t get married,” he said.

Both Billington and Van Schoiack left the House chamber during a roll call on the legislation, and thus did not record a vote.”