21 October 2005

Governor Sebelius calls for minimum marriage age of 16

As part of her ongoing efforts to protect Kansas children from sexual abuse, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today called for a strict ban on marriages involving anyone younger than 16.

“As Governor, I have the responsibility to protect the rights of young Kansans and ensure their safety. The fact that criminals have used marriage to conceal their abuse is appalling. We must take action to stop this abuse,” Governor Sebelius said.

“It should be against the law for any Kansan younger than 16 to marry. And we must continue to require parental or judicial consent for anyone 16 or 17 years old to marry. Kansas must change our law and we must do so as soon as possible,” the Governor continued.

In a letter to Senator Stephen Morris, chair of the Legislative Coordinating Council, Governor Sebelius requested the topic be added to the November agenda of the Special Committee on the Judiciary so the issue can be speedily considered when the Legislature returns in January.

Since August, the age for minors to marry with parental consent in Kansas has been a subject of national attention. Current law (K.S.A. 23-106) allows anyone under 18 to marry with parental or judicial consent and sets no minimum marriage age. Based on our research there are 37 states that put the minimum marriage age at 16, with varying requirements for marriage under that age. Eleven states do not allow anyone under the age of 16 to marry.