Final Vote Looming For Texas Child Marriage Bill

Child marriage is still somewhat legal in the state of Texas. There is now a bill making headway in the Texas House, trying desperately to close that loophole.

According to the Texas Tribune, the bill could face a proposal that would allow for adults and minors to marry if their age gap is three years or less.  House Bill 168 was passed for now by a margin of 83 - 51 on Tuesday and is coming up for a final vote this week. 

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“I brought this bill, originally to protect our Texas children from a loophole in the law that allows trafficking of these kids. And that is certainly still my goal, - Rep. Jon Rosenthal - D. Houston

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Traffickers Take Advantage Of Child Marriage Laws

If the bill were to pass, it would begin to completely close loopholes left from when lawmakers last took steps to stop the practice in 2017. The bill will prohibit counties in Texas from issuing marriage licenses to minors, even if they have legally been emancipated from their parents.

Though marriage involving teens is rare, it is sometimes used as a way to traffic children. Lawmakers have even tried to change the language in the bill to give survivors of child marriage legal recourse if their marriages are voided.

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It would seem very easy to make a blanket statement that says if you are under 18, you can't get married in Texas. There are so many different situations that it gets complicated, and people's lives hang in the balance.

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One thing the bill won't change is the age of consent in Texas, which is 17, but you won't be able to get married until you are 18.