Friday, August 17, 2007

You Can Marry at Any Age in Arkansas

It is reported that a law was passed this year that allows people in Arkansas to marry at any age, even infants and toddlers, if their parents agree.

The legislation was intended to establish 18 as the minimum age to marry and allow pregnant teenagers to marry with parental consent but someone accidentally put a "not" in the bill, so it reads "In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage."

A code of revision commission, which fixes typographical and technical errors in law, tried to correct the mistake but the commission went beyond its powers. The Arkansas Legislative Council asked the independent commission to make a correction but lawmakers said that a special session may be necessary.

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