A yearslong campaign led by Tustin-based Global Hope 365 to end child marriage in California moved closer to its goal Wednesday after state lawmakers approved legislation setting 18 as the minimum age to marry, with no exceptions.
Assembly Bill 1267, authored by Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin, D-Santa Cruz, now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration after clearing the Assembly. The Senate previously approved the measure unanimously, according to Global Hope 365.
California is one of three states without a statutory minimum marriage age, according to the organization. Under existing state law, minors can marry with parental consent and court approval.
“Today is an extraordinary and emotional day for all of us who have worked year after year to end child marriage in California,” said Rima Nashashibi, founder and president of Global Hope 365 and founder of the California Coalition to End Child Marriage. “We knew that changing California law would require more than advocacy in Sacramento. We needed to change hearts, minds, and public policy at every level.”
Global Hope 365 has made ending child marriage one of its primary advocacy efforts. Through the California Coalition to End Child Marriage, the organization launched its “No Child Marriage Under 18, No Exceptions” campaign, seeking resolutions from cities and counties supporting a statewide minimum marriage age of 18.
The organization said resolutions have been approved by 18 California cities, including 16 in Orange County, along with Culver City and Maywood in Los Angeles County.
The campaign began in Irvine in August 2020 and later expanded to other Orange County cities, including Anaheim, Newport Beach, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Mission Viejo, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Buena Park, Santa Ana, Villa Park, La Habra, Laguna Hills and Cypress.
Santa Clara County became the first county in California to adopt the organization’s resolution in January 2024, according to Global Hope 365.
Research cited by the organization estimates about 35,000 marriages involving minors occurred in California between 2000 and 2021, with most involving an underage girl marrying an adult man.
“Every resolution mattered,” Nashashibi said. “Every mayor, councilmember, supervisor, survivor, advocate and community member who stood with us helped send a message to Sacramento: California’s communities are ready to end child marriage.”
Global Hope 365 and the California Coalition to End Child Marriage urged Newsom to sign AB 1267.