By
The Associated Press
Published: Fri, April 04, 2008 - 5:53 am
Last Updated: Fri, April 04, 2008 - 6:27 am
Last Updated: Fri, April 04, 2008 - 6:27 am
Arkansas.
Governor Mike Beebe has signed legislation repealing a poorly
worded law that had the effect of letting anybody get married as
long as they had the permission of a parent.
When the measure was approved last year, the intent was to set
17 as the minimum marriage age for boys and 16 for girls. The only
exception would be girls who are pregnant, and they would need
permission. But the final version has an extraneous word, "not."
It read: "In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18)
years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license,
the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental
consent to the marriage."
That would be anybody.
Governor Beebe rejected calls for a special session last year to
make a fix. He said the chances of children getting married under
the law were slim.
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