Lawmakers look to change marriage law

Investigation shows judges approved many marriages for minors.

Ohio lawmakers COLUMBUS — are still considering updating state marriage laws to prohibit young teens from getting married.

An investigation by this newspaper published in September found judges have approved thousands of marriages involving minors since 2000, including 59 girls who were 15 or younger. In one case, a judge in Gallia County allowed a 14-year-old pregnant girl to marry a 48-year-old man in 2002.

Ohio law allows girls to marry without parental consent at age

16 and males at age 18, but younger teens may marry with parental and judicial approval.

Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, introduced Senate Bill 198 in September to raise the marriage age to 18 for males and females and require parental and judicial consent for 16- or 17-year-olds.

“Young women are being taken advantage of by individuals, such as the 48-yearold marrying the young teenage girl. Often being signed off by parents or guardians,” Yuko said. “We need to stop this. Make sure that the law covers the fact that this will not be allowed by law.”

The young brides often end up with several children, big debts and no spouse and a reliance on government services, Yuko said. “It puts the kids in a bad position as well.”

Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Medina, said he looks forward to working with Yuko on his bill.

“I think it’s something we definitely need to take a deeper dive into,” said House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville. House members are still crafting a bill to address the issues, he said.

Contact this reporter at 614224-1624 or email Laura. Bischoff@coxinc.com.