Arkansas governor signs bill raising marriage age

April 19, 2019 at 2:53 a.m. | Updated April 19, 2019 at 2:55 a.m.

by Associated Press

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks to reporters in his office at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday, April 10, 2019, about a bill prohibiting "sanctuary cities" that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The governor said Wednesday he'll sign legislation cutting off funding to "sanctuary cities" that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities despite the Republican's objections that the measure could open the door to racial profiling. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo)
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks to reporters in his office at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday, April 10, 2019, about a bill prohibiting "sanctuary cities" that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The governor said Wednesday he'll sign legislation cutting off funding to "sanctuary cities" that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities despite the Republican's objections that the measure could open the door to racial profiling. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo)

LITTLE ROCK-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed legislation that increases the state's marriage age to 17.

Under the previous law, 16-year-old girls and 17-year-old boys could get married with the consent of their parents. If the girl was pregnant, a judge could approve a marriage regardless of her age.

The legislation signed Wednesday raises the marriage age to 17 regardless of circumstances, and parental consent is still required.

Democratic Rep. Vivian Flowers of Pine Bluff sponsored the bill. She says Department of Health statistics show that more than 8,200 girls and 1,300 boys who were 17 or younger have been married in Arkansas since 1999.

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