FRANKFORT-Legislation that would rein in child marriage across Kentucky was approved
unanimously today by the House Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill 48, sponsored by Rep. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, would prohibit
anyone under the age of 17 from getting married in Kentucky. Another provision would
require parental input for 17-year-olds wanting to marry.
While current law states 16- and 17-year-olds can be married with parental consent,
a district judge can approve the marriage of a child below the age of 16 if the girl
is pregnant.
Donna Pollard, who at age 16 married a 30-year-old man with her mother’s consent,
spoke in support of HB 48 before the committee vote. Pollard said her marriage
resulted in domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
In Kentucky, there were 11,000 reported cases of child marriage from 2000 to 2015.
Of those marriages, only 7 percent were between two minors, said Pollard.
SB 48 now goes to the full House for its consideration. It passed the Senate by a
34-3 vote on March 7.