California lawmakers back bills to outlaw child marriage and support victims of forced unions

The pair of bills still requires Governor Gavin Newsom's approval before becoming law. Upon enactment, the changes would begin on January 1, 2027.

Advocates and survivors from Unchained at Last wore wedding attire along with chains and tape across their mouths while assembling on Boston Common and marching to the State House to demand an end to child marriages in Boston, Massachusetts on September 22, 2021.

(photo credit: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

AUGUST 30, 2026 05:26

This week the California legislature approved two bills that eliminate longstanding legal gaps by imposing a complete prohibition on child marriage and allowing victims of forced unions to obtain civil restraining orders.

Assembly Bill 1267 creates an outright ban on child marriage through the repeal of provisions that once permitted marriage licenses or domestic partnerships for anyone under 18 years of age.

AB 2534 adds forced marriage to the state's Domestic Violence Prevention Act, enabling victims to request civil restraining orders against individuals who coerce, arrange, or facilitate an unwanted union.

The pair of bills still requires Governor Gavin Newsom's approval before becoming law. Upon enactment, the changes would begin on January 1, 2027.

The Tahiri Justice Center notes that AB 1267 will position California as the 18th state with a total ban on child marriage, while AB 2534 will introduce the nation's first civil protection order specifically for forced marriage.

Child marriage remains permissible in California with guardian consent

Bill 1267 revises sections of the Family Code and Health and Safety Code that currently allow an unmarried person under 18 to wed after securing a court order and written consent from at least one parent or guardian.

Bill 2534 defines forced marriage as a spousal relationship in which one or both parties cannot or do not consent and are compelled through force, fraud, coercion, duress, abuse of power, or coercive control to enter or remain in the marriage, irrespective of legal validity.

The measure states that protective orders may name all persons involved in arranging, officiating, financing, or facilitating a forced marriage or attempted forced marriage as respondents in a single action, and courts may grant relief even if no marriage has taken place or if the union would lack legal standing in California or elsewhere.

Survivor: 'I know what it feels like to have your choices taken from you'

Sara Tasneem, a survivor of abusive child marriage and advocate with the Tahiri Justice Center, stated that passage of AB 1267 marks a major victory for survivors, advocates, and allies who have worked nearly a decade to end child marriage in California. The new law will set the minimum marriage age at 18 without exceptions, shielding future children from harm and advancing efforts to eliminate the practice.

Sadia Khan, another survivor and policy advocate, responded to the legislative approval by noting that as a survivor she understands the experience of having choices removed and believing no one could intervene when the law offered no clear solution.

As a domestic violence policy advocate, she added that the greatest duty lies in preventing abuse before it occurs rather than only responding afterward. While nothing can restore the years she lost, California is now ensuring others will not face the same loss.