Bend, Ore. — In a historic move aimed at protecting minors, the Oregon Senate voted overwhelmingly on Monday to raise the state’s minimum marriage age from 17 to 18. The bill, which passed with a 28-1 vote, addresses long-standing concerns over child marriage and the potential exploitation of young teens.
Under current state law, 17-year-olds can marry with the consent of only one legal guardian, without the requirement for the minor’s own approval. This policy allowed nearly 3,000 adult men to marry teenage girls between 2000 and 2021, sparking widespread criticism from child advocacy groups and lawmakers alike.
The bill, which now moves to the Oregon House for approval, seeks to close the gap in existing legislation by establishing 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage, a change that would ensure minors are not subjected to coerced or exploitative unions.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is a crucial step toward safeguarding the rights and well-being of teenagers, ensuring that they are not legally bound in marriages before they are ready or fully able to give informed consent. Advocates have long pointed out the harmful effects that early marriages can have on young people, particularly girls, including increased risks of domestic violence, poverty, and limited educational opportunities.
“Oregon has taken an important step to protect young people from forced marriages,” said Senator X, who sponsored the bill. “This legislation will help ensure that all young people, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to grow into adulthood without the added burden of a marriage that they did not fully consent to.”
Opponents of the measure have voiced concerns about limiting personal freedoms and parental rights, arguing that parents should retain the ability to make decisions on behalf of their children. However, the bill’s passage in the Senate highlights a growing consensus in the state that the protection of minors should take precedence over these considerations.
As the bill heads to the House for debate and a vote, its supporters remain optimistic that it will pass and become law, marking a significant shift in the state’s stance on child marriage and sending a message that Oregon is committed to protecting the rights of its youngest citizens.
If signed into law, Oregon will join a growing list of states that have implemented stronger protections against child marriage in recent years, contributing to a broader national conversation about the need for reform in this area.
The issue of child marriage has garnered increased attention in recent years, with many calling for uniformity in laws across the country. While the legal minimum marriage age varies from state to state, the overwhelming majority of states still allow minors to marry under certain circumstances, a practice that continues to raise questions about the intersection of personal freedom, parental consent, and the protection of vulnerable minors.
With Oregon’s proposed legislation, the state is set to join the ranks of those seeking to ensure that marriage is a choice made by informed and fully consenting adults.
