The Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety convened on November 25, 2024, to discuss several significant legislative measures, including the Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024 and the Safe and Supported Pregnancy Amendment Act of 2024.

Chairperson Brooke Pinto led the meeting, starting with a motion to advance Bill 25-538, which passed unanimously after a voice vote. The committee then turned its attention to Bill 25-955, aimed at prohibiting child marriage in the District of Columbia. This legislation, co-introduced by multiple council members, seeks to set the legal marriage age at 18 without exceptions. Pinto highlighted the alarming trend of child marriages in the district, noting that 40 minors were married between 2012 and 2022, with a significant increase from one child marriage in 2022 to 15 in 2023.

The proposed law addresses the risks associated with child marriage, including increased domestic abuse, economic instability, and lower educational attainment. Pinto emphasized that current laws allow minors as young as 16 to marry with just one parent's consent, raising concerns about potential predatory situations. The new legislation aims to protect young individuals by ensuring they have the legal capacity to make informed decisions about marriage.

Following a discussion, the committee unanimously approved the bill, allowing staff to make necessary technical changes. The meeting concluded with a brief introduction of Bill 25-914, the Safe and Supported Pregnancy Amendment Act of 2024, which was also supported by several council members.

The discussions reflect a commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of young people in the district, with further steps anticipated as these bills progress through the legislative process.