Ohio GOP Leaders Split on Whether Child Marriage Bill Warrants Debate
Republican leaders remain divided as child marriage survivors in wedding dresses protest at the Statehouse, demanding action on stalled legislation.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Ohio’s top Republican legislative leaders are divided on whether child marriage legislation deserves consideration at the Statehouse, as a bill to end child marriages remains stalled in a Senate committee four months after its introduction.
The legislation, introduced in February, has drawn no public opponents but has failed to advance through the committee process. The inaction comes as child marriage survivors and advocates continue pushing for stronger protections.
Current Law Still Allows Teen Marriages
Under current Ohio law, 17-year-olds can marry someone up to four years older with juvenile court approval. Before 2019, the state had no minimum marriage age at all, according to the Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network.
“We’re still not protecting these girls,” said Stephanie Lowry, a child marriage survivor. “The same issues are still there.”
Lowry joined two dozen women wearing wedding dresses who protested outside the Statehouse on Wednesday, drawing attention to the stalled legislation.
Survivor Shares Personal Story
Lowry described her own experience of forced marriage at age 16 when her mother made her wed the adult man who got her pregnant. Despite being married, she remained legally a child in many respects.
“I was in a battered women’s shelter where I could not get an attorney,” Lowry said. “I could not sign a lease. My legal guardian was my abuser, my husband, who was 20 years old.”
She said “hidden legal loopholes” enabled her forced marriage, highlighting gaps that advocates say the current bill would address.
Religious Opposition Cited as Factor
While no formal opponents have emerged publicly, some religious activists have argued that certain child marriages should remain legal in cases of teen pregnancy. Lawmakers cited this opposition as a reason for the bill’s delay in committee.
When asked whether the Statehouse should debate the issue and if there’s merit to allowing 17-year-olds to marry adults, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican, indicated support for having the discussion.
“Yeah, well, I do think there should be a,” Huffman said, according to the interview, though his complete response was not included in the available material.
The divide among Republican leadership reflects broader tensions over balancing traditional family values with child protection concerns. Before the 2019 reforms, Ohio had promoted 16 as the minimum age for girls to marry, but allowed exceptions for any age with parental and judicial consent.
Child marriage opponents argue the current law still leaves vulnerable minors at risk, particularly in situations involving domestic violence or coercion. They point to cases like Lowry’s as evidence that legal marriage can trap minors in abusive situations where they lack the legal standing to protect themselves.
