NEW YORK (VINnews) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.3086/A.3891) raising the age of consent to be married in New York State to 18. This new measure builds upon legislation eliminating child marriage that the Governor signed in 2017 by removing the ability for 17-year-olds to be married with parental and judicial consent.
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“This administration fought hard to successfully end child marriage in New York and I’m proud to sign this legislation to strengthen our laws and further protect vulnerable children from exploitation,” Governor Cuomo said. “Children should be allowed to live their childhood and I thank the many legislators and advocates who worked diligently to advance this measure and further prevent forced marriages in this state.”
This legislation takes effect 30 days after becoming law and will apply to licenses issued after that date and marriages that had not been solemnized prior to that date.
Senator Julia Salazar said, “Regardless of maturity level, minors lack sufficient legal rights and autonomy that they need to protect them if they enter a marriage contract before becoming adults. The vast majority of minors who enter a marriage are teenage girls, and getting married before adulthood often has devastating consequences for them. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this bill to finally prohibit child marriage without exceptions in New York, and commend the continued work of Unchained At Last in advocating to prohibit child marriage nationwide.”
Assembly Member Phil Ramos said, “The cruel and callous practice of child marriage has traumatized too many children to count. Nalia’s Law, which will raise the age of consent for marriage to 18 and prohibit marriage if either person is underage, is named after one brave survivor of forced child marriage who I was lucky enough to meet. With the passage of this crucial legislation, minors in New York will be further protected from this predatory practice, and we can prevent stories like Nalia’s from repeating themselves.”
Children over 12 are allowed to undergo irreversible gender transitioning WITHOUT parental consent yet a 17 can’t decide to get married?
A 17 year old normal person can’t marry but a man can marry a man. Sick society.
Keep in mind, there is no problem with teenage pregnancy or living together, it is the taking responsibility that the government has an issue with;
Unclear how many people are actually affected. At best, it will simply replace marriage with unrestricted promiscuity. Which is the current situation anyway.
I agree no one under 18 should get married
I don’t know what the whole commotion is.All you folks can ask Josh. I hate Governor Antichos with a passion. Nevertheless, this a sensible bill that doesn’t really hurt our community much. Its more of a statement.
I believe its more targeting muslims who engage in forced marriages at age 14. And yes the Rashim at Lev Tohar under Helbrans Yimach shimo too. Now in reality the few chasdim that get married at age 17, (very rare there too and I don’t think many hiemisha encourage marriage at 17 even if you get engaged at 17) they can still live together and just get legally married at 18. Yes of course why pick on this vs all the other crazy stuff. (like sex therapy or abortions) But that doesn’t make this wrong.
Overall its a good bill.
But girls under 18 are ready to have children out of wedlock? How about a law that forbids girls giving birth before 18 also? I’m okay with that—but it won’t affect the Jews so they have no interest in that one.
You can get married and just be “freinds” until 18 there a rent really that many practical work this law
When it comes to marrying off a child, $100 fine is usually not going to deter anyone.
I got married at 17 with no regrets. I now have a daughter that age and she’s nowhere near ready. Times have changed. Children are much more sheltered pampered and immature.
Cuomo, the fox that’s watching the chicken coup. He should look in the mirror.
Getting married too young is one of the sources of poverty. No education no job, no future.
Only two options if we don’t like it here . . . vote them out (not so easy to do) or get out (also not easy but doable).
simcha eichenstein voted for this evil bill
Page 48 in the bill clause 316
states that governors of N.Y. Don’t need consent from anybody no matter the age. The question is if it could be used retroactive
excellent legislation, if we arent smart enough for basics than BH we have the government to hold down the fort for us. although, this is a slippery slope for government. either way this time it worked very well for us and to protect our kids from retarted parents. this is very common unfortunately by chasidim in NY.