Bill > AB1134

This bill addresses coerced marriage by making two key changes to California law. First, it modifies the Penal Code to clarify that compelling someone to marry through force, menace, or duress is a crime, and specifies that this provision applies equally regardless of the victim's age at the time of the forced marriage. Second, the bill amends the Family Code to provide more flexibility for individuals seeking to nullify a marriage that was obtained through force. Starting January 1, 2027, a court will be able to grant permission for a person to file a petition to nullify a forced marriage even after the standard four-year filing period, provided they can show good cause. The bill also requires the Judicial Council to develop or modify forms to support this new provision. Additionally, the bill removes the previous legal language about "compelling a person to be defiled," streamlining the legal approach to forced marriages and focusing on the core issue of involuntary marriage. These changes aim to provide greater protection and legal recourse for victims of forced marriages, regardless of their age.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1134