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Senate Revives Federal Child Marriage Ban, Oklahoma Bans Too

8/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Senate refilled the Child Marriage Prevention Act, sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin and two Democrats.
The bill would set a federal minimum marriage age of 18 and bar child marriages on federal property.
Oklahoma became the 17th state to ban child marriage, with its law effective November 1.
Unchained at Last reports nearly 315,000 U.S. children were married from 2000-2021, mostly girls aged 16-17.

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Story summary

The U.S. Senate refilled the Child Marriage Prevention Act, sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin and two Democrats.
The bill would set a federal minimum marriage age of 18 and bar child marriages on federal property.
Oklahoma became the 17th state to ban child marriage, with its law effective November 1.
Unchained at Last reports nearly 315,000 U.S. children were married from 2000-2021, mostly girls aged 16-17.