Story perspectives

California Passes Forced-Marriage Restraining Orders, Raises Marriage Age

8/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

California Legislature passed bipartisan bills banning child marriage and creating forced-marriage restraining orders.
AB 1267 sets marriage age at 18 with no exceptions, effective Jan. 1 2027.
AB 2534 creates the nation’s first forced-marriage restraining order, allowing anyone to seek protection.
The bills cleared the Assembly on Aug. 26 2026 and passed the Senate without major opposition.
Governor Gavin Newsom must sign the measures before they become law.

History

Historical Context

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted 20 Nov 1989 and in force 2 Sep 1990, defines a child as anyone under eighteen and now has 196 parties. The United States signed the treaty on 16 Feb 1995 but has never ratified it. Building on that international standard, California’s 2026 legislation seeks to end child marriage.

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Story summary

California Legislature passed bipartisan bills banning child marriage and creating forced-marriage restraining orders.
AB 1267 sets marriage age at 18 with no exceptions, effective Jan. 1 2027.
AB 2534 creates the nation’s first forced-marriage restraining order, allowing anyone to seek protection.
The bills cleared the Assembly on Aug. 26 2026 and passed the Senate without major opposition.
Governor Gavin Newsom must sign the measures before they become law.

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