Maryland, it's our turn.

Our neighbors have already made it law. Washington, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia have all set the minimum marriage age at 18, with no exceptions.

And California just became the 18th state to do the same. If California can do it, Maryland can too. 

Maryland shouldn't be left behind.

Today, Maryland is one of 32 states that still allow child marriage. Between 2000 and 2018, more than 3,500 children were married here, most of them girls. As our neighbors close the door, Maryland risks becoming the place where these marriages still happen.

Marriage doesn't give minors more rights. It takes them away. A minor in Maryland generally can't sign a lease, open a bank account on their own, or hire a lawyer. 

Yet that same child can still be married, often to an adult, and left with fewer protections and fewer ways to leave if the marriage becomes unsafe.

The fix is simple. Maryland doesn't need a whole new law, just an amendment removing the remaining exception so that no one under 18 can marry, for any reason.

We ask the Maryland General Assembly and Governor Moore to make 18 the minimum age to marry in Maryland, with no exceptions.

The Maryland Coalition to End Child Marriage is a new, survivor-centered, bipartisan coalition of survivors, advocates, faith leaders, and community members. 

Please sign, and share with every Marylander you know.

Safe, Free & 18, Maryland.     

#SafeFree18  #EndChildMarriageMD #18NoExceptions