Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday signed legislation to end child marriage in New York. The legislation raises the age of consent to marry from 14-years-old to 18-years-old and amends the process to require parental and judicial consent for marriage of those between 17-years-old and 18-years-old, a release from the Governor’s office said.
“This administration has worked tirelessly to defend exploited and disadvantaged New Yorkers, provide minors with the rights and protections that they deserve, and ensure that women are empowered to have control over their own lives, and with this legislation, we continue to help protect those who cannot protect themselves,” Governor Cuomo said.
“This is a major step forward in our efforts to protect children and prevent forced marriages, and I am proud to sign this legislation that puts an end to child marriage in New York once and for all,” the Governor added.
In February, the Governor announced he was advancing legislation to end child marriage by raising the age of consent to marry from 14 to 18-years-old in New York. Until the legislation was signed on Tuesday, children as young as 14-years-old could have gotten married with parental permission and written consent provided by a judge. The previous law, which dates back to 1929, does not provide guidance to judges determining whether or not to grant consent. More than 3,800 minors were married in New York between 2000 and 2010. Now, the law expressly prohibits anyone under the age of 17 from getting married and provides guidance for judges who are tasked with making a determination as to whether or not a 17-year-old may get married, the Governor’s office said.
Specifically, a judge shall ensure that the individual is entering into the marriage of his or her own free will, that they are not being compelled by force, fraud, or coercion, and that the marriage will not endanger the mental, emotional, or physical safety of the applicant.
Research shows that young women who marry before 19 are 50 percent more likely than their unmarried peers to drop out of high school, and four times less likely to graduate from college. Women who wed before 18 are also at increased risk of developing mental and physical health disorders, including facing a 23 percent higher risk of heart attack, diabetes, cancer and stroke. Girls who marry young are 31 percent more likely to live in poverty when they are older and are three times more likely to be beaten by their spouses than women who wed at 21 or older, the Governor’s office added.
Senator Andrew J. Lanza said, “This law will go a long way in honoring our values and commitment to protecting children, especially young girls, from the coercive, oppressive, and destructive practice of ill-informed or forced marriage. As the father of two girls, I sincerely thank and commend Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Governor Andrew Cuomo for their vision and leadership.”
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin said, “Current law allowing 14 year olds to get married is discrimination against women written explicitly in our statues. Victims of child marriage are forced and condemned to a life that they did not choose with no means of escape, resulting in physical and mental health problems, loss of education and economic opportunities, and an increased likelihood of experiencing violence. Today, we bring an end to forced child marriage in New York State and set a precedent that the rest of the states should follow.”
Sonia Ossorio, President, National Organization for Women, said, “NOW is tremendously grateful that our Governor has made it a top priority to end child marriage in our state, and working together with lawmakers, the advocates, and the courageous survivors – we got it done. New York is leading the nation in ending this human rights abuse and setting an example for the entire nation to follow. I have no doubt that other states will follow suit and make this awful practice a relic of the past.”
George Zarubin, Executive Director of the AHA Foundation, said, “By signing this legislation, Governor Cuomo is standing up to protect the rights of young New Yorkers. New York lagged behind other states and even other nations for too long by allowing the harmful practice of child marriage. Marrying young significantly impedes the ability of young girls to finish an education and to live a full and happy life. The AHA Foundation thanks Governor Cuomo for his leadership on this issue and for everything he does to protect the rights of all New Yorkers.”
