The Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced AB 1267 on Aug. 25, moving the bill that would set 18 as the minimum marriage age in California.
Assembly Member Pellerin, the bill’s author, asked for an aye vote as the committee considered a motion to concur in Senate amendments, according to the committee hearing on California’s legislative video archive. The hearing featured testimony from survivors, youth advocates and supporting organizations, including the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and Unchained at Last.
Christina Sutton, who identified herself as a child-marriage survivor, testified in support of the bill and described being married as a minor in San Francisco and Napa. Aritas Niem also spoke in support, saying she was forced to marry her rapist at 16 and was pregnant. Several Girl Scouts from San Jose, including students who identified themselves as Kaylyn and Sophia, told lawmakers that minors should have time to grow up before making a lifelong legal decision.
Supporters and lawmakers framed child marriage as a risk factor for abuse and coercion. Darcy Trotten of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls said the commission co-sponsored the bill. Assemblymember Pacheco later moved the measure, and several lawmakers voiced support during the hearing; Assemblymember Sanchez asked to be added as a co-author.
The committee transcript and summary do not provide a full final vote tally, but the bill was advanced out of committee after the hearing.
