Proposed Bill Would Ban Child Marriage in Wyoming
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Laramie lawmaker and others are proposing a bill that would require individuals to reach the age of 18 before becoming eligible for marriage in Wyoming.
Under current Wyoming law, the legal age for marriage is 16, but the law allows for a child younger than that to get married if a parent or guardian and a judge agree.
The law has not been updated since 1977.
House Minority Whip Charles Pelkey is spearheading proposed House Bill 60 to change the law.
The Laramie Democrat says a person should be an adult before making the decision to marry, noting that there are many things people cannot do until they are 18 or 21.
State statistics shows 68 marriage applications involving someone under 18 were filed since the start of 2015.