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Missouri Senate gives preliminary approval to bill raising marriage age to 18
Summary
The Missouri Senate gave preliminary approval to Senate Bill 66, which would raise the legal age for marriage from 16–17 with parental consent to 18; the measure now moves toward consideration in the Missouri House if it receives another affirmative Senate vote.
The Missouri Senate gave preliminary approval Monday to Senate Bill 66, a measure that would raise the legal age for marriage in Missouri to 18 after the bill was presented on the Senate floor by Senator Tracy McCrory of Saint Louis County.
If enacted, the bill would change current state law that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent; senators on the floor said another affirmative Senate vote would send the proposal to the Missouri House of Representatives for similar consideration.
Currently, in Missouri, children aged 16 and 17 may marry with parental consent. Senate Bill 66 would raise the age of marriage for all parties involved to 18.
During floor discussion, Senator Rick Bratton of Harrisonville told the bill sponsor 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.
Missouri senators then gave Senate Bill 66 preliminary approval on the floor. The transcript did not specify a vote tally or the timetable for additional action.
