OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A measure that changes who is allowed to get married in Oklahoma by banning marriage for anyone under 18 has become law without the governor’s signature.
Senate Bill 504 would make it illegal for anyone under 18 to enter into marriage, removing current exceptions that allow minors to marry with parental consent or court approval. Supporters say the change is meant to bring marriage laws in line with other legal standards.
“Marriage is a legally binding contract, some of these young people can’t even get a tattoo, can’t enter into a legal contract, but yet they can get married, it is a lifelong decision,” said Rep. Nicole Miller.
Oklahoma law currently allows some minors to marry, but supporters of the bill argue that can put young people in situations they may not be ready for.
Miller said some cases involve serious risks beyond young relationships.
The measure gained attention because of one Oklahoma representative voting against the measure earlier this session.
“What they want to change that to is only an 18-year-old could get married. They want to take away the parents’ right to give a 16-year-old permission to get married. In the cases of pregnancy, or there are cases where a parent might want to give their permission to get married, and I think that’s between those young people and the parents. I don’t think the government should be telling us the people what to do with our kids,” Rep. J.J. Humphrey said.
“Oklahoma has horrible rates as far as child sex trafficking, these kids getting married at an earlier age, that is a part of sex trafficking, when an older male marries a younger female, that leads to issues with sex trafficking and prostitution, that’s a practice we need to see stopped in Oklahoma,” said Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy.
SB 504 became law without the governor’s signature on Wednesday.
It goes into effect Nov. 1.
