Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday signed a bill into law that prohibits the marriage of minors under the age of 17 in Tennessee.
The governor's signature marks the conclusion of a months-long campaign to end child marriage in the state after the nonprofit organization, Unchained at Last, and two Democratic lawmakers brought attention to the issue in February.
The latest version of the law passed through the legislature in April and is now in effect.
The nonprofit pointed out that previous law allowed a judge to waive the minimum age limit for marriage if guardians of a child consented. The group found the loophole had allowed numerous cases of children 16 and younger to marry and cited higher divorce rates and instances of abuse for married minors.
The new law prohibits anyone under the age of 17 from marrying in Tennessee and anyone under 18 from marrying someone who is four or more years older.
The new law also addresses concerns from some lawmakers that a minor could become trapped in a marriage until they turn 18. The law grants the married minor all the rights and responsibilities of an adult, except for constitutional or statutory age requirements, such as voting and the use of alcoholic beverages.
Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, and Rep. Darren Jernigan, D-Old Hickory, sponsored the original measure, which was later replaced by the amended measure sponsored by Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, and Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah.
According to state data obtained by Unchained at Last, Tennessee granted 37 marriage licenses to 17-year-old girls in 2014, the only minors in that year. In those cases, the grooms were ages 18 and 19.
By comparison, in 2000, the state issued 1,256 marriage licenses to 16- and 17-year-olds, including 1,094 to 16- and 17-year-old girls. In those cases, the oldest groom was 26, according to the state data analyzed by the organization.
Reach Jordan Buie at jbuie@tennessean.com or 615-726-5970 and on Twitter @jordanbuie.
