TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Senate is backing off a complete ban on child marriage.
The Senate unanimously passed a bill Monday that would set the minimum age to marry at 17.
The Senate passed a bill last month to prohibit the marriage of anyone under 18 under any circumstance, but the House carved out exceptions for 16- and 17-year-olds when there's a pregnancy.
The bill no longer makes pregnancy an issue, but does require that anyone marrying a 17-year-old cannot be more than two years older. A minor would need parental consent.
Right now, children aged 16 and 17 can marry with the consent of both children's parents. But if a pregnancy is involved, there is no minimum age for marriage as long as a judge approves the marriage license.
The bill now goes back to the House.
(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
