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Senate approves felony penalty for those who perform unlawful marriages involving minors
Summary
The Utah Senate passed First Substitute Senate Bill 146 on Feb. 6, 2001, making the performance or facilitation of unlawful marriages involving minors a third-degree felony; sponsors said the change targets forced or coerced underage weddings and reflects prosecutors' recommendations.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 6 approved First Substitute Senate Bill 146, which makes performing unlawful marriages in specified circumstances involving minors a third-degree felony.
Senator Ron Allen, sponsor of the bill, told colleagues the measure responds to reports prosecutors brought to lawmakers about a growing problem "of young girls particularly being forced into marriages. Some as early as the age of 13." He said the bill tightens statutes to align penalties with child-abuse felonies and to close loopholes that have hindered prosecution.
Allen and other backers…
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