Bill > HB2026

This bill aims to modify Kansas marriage law by establishing 18 as the minimum age for marriage and eliminating all previous exceptions for younger individuals. Specifically, the bill removes previous provisions that allowed marriage for individuals as young as 15 or 16 with parental consent and judicial approval. Under the new law, no marriage license will be issued to anyone under 18 years old, effectively ending the practice of child marriage in Kansas. The bill also makes a minor technical change to the marriage license waiting period by explicitly excluding Sundays, holidays, and days when the court clerk's office is closed from the three-day waiting period calculation. Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions about marriage license expiration (six months from issuance) and penalties for providing false information on a marriage license application. The legislation represents a significant shift in protecting minors by preventing marriage before reaching legal adulthood, aligning with growing national efforts to prevent child marriage and its potential associated risks.

Government Affairs

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2026/