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marriage age

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Apr 11, 2022

General Assembly passes bill to raise minimum marriage age to 17

The General Assembly on Monday passed legislation to raise the minimum age for marriage in Maryland from 15 to 17. The measure, headed to Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk, would require […]

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Mar 27, 2019

Marriage-age debate may be addressed by emancipation bill

Maryland lawmakers are considering the creation of an emancipation process for 16 and 17 year olds that also aims to curb marriage by minors, the subject of debate in recent […]

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Jun 8, 2018

After ‘child marriage’ ban fails in Md., Del. and NJ pass legislation

Maryland may have failed again to pass legislation eliminating so-called "child marriage," but nearby Delaware did last month and New Jersey may soon follow if Gov. Phil Murphy signs it into law.

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Apr 11, 2018

Sponsors say marriage-age bills will return

Lawmakers will continue to push for raising the minimum age for marriage in Maryland after legislation failed for the third year in a row.

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Apr 3, 2018

Differing marriage-age bills appear bound for conference

Both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly have passed legislation eliminating exceptions to state law allowing 15-year-olds to marry, but differences over whether the new minimum age should be 16 or […]

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Mar 16, 2018

Senate, House preparing different bills on marriage age

The legislative debate over the minimum age for marriage in Maryland continues as cross-filed bills banning marriage for anyone younger than 18 were both amended in committee before moving forward […]

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Feb 1, 2018

Debate over ‘child marriage’ returns to General Assembly

ANNAPOLIS — Advocates returned to the State House on Thursday to renew their push to change a law allowing individuals as young as 15 to be married in Maryland, but […]

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Aug 30, 2017

Report: Maryland marriage laws make forced child marriage more likely

Maryland's marriage laws have several "loopholes" which can make forced or coerced child marriage more likely, according to a new report from the Tahirih Justice Center.

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Mar 20, 2017

In child marriage debate, delegates get personal

Del. William G. Folden joined the military at age 17, leaving behind his high school sweetheart. Despite feeling “fearless,” at the time, he did not propose. More than 25 years […]