Missouri Senate gives preliminary approval to bill raising marriage age to 18

The Missouri Senate gave preliminary approval on Monday afternoon to Senate Bill 66, a measure that would raise the state's minimum legal marriage age to 18, after Sen. Tracy McCurry of St. Louis County presented the proposal.

Under current Missouri law, 16- and 17-year-olds may marry with parental consent; SB 66 would set 18 as the minimum age for all parties. Supporters and sponsors framed the change as an update to the state's marriage-age rules; the transcript records personal reflection from at least one senator during floor discussion.

Sen. Rick Bratton of Harrisonville told the bill's sponsor that he had been comfortable with younger marriage in the past and that his view had changed: "I had aunts, uncles. They were married at extremely young ages. It was difficult to kinda come to the realization that's not where we're at any longer," Bratton said.

Following the discussion, senators gave Senate Bill 66 preliminary approval. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally; it notes that "another yes vote would send this proposal to the Missouri House of Representatives for similar consideration." The measure will proceed to the Missouri House for further action.

The transcript indicates this is at least the second consecutive year lawmakers have pursued a change to the state's legal marriage-age requirements. The record provided does not include details on amendments, recorded vote counts, committee assignments, or a timeline for House consideration.