Harrisburg, Pa., Jun 24, 2019 / 13:00 pm
A growing number of states are considering bans or additional restrictions on child marriages, including in Pennsylvania, where a bill to outlaw child marriages passed the state's House of Representatives earlier this month.
"Children under the age of 18 cannot vote, serve in the military and buy alcohol or tobacco products, among other things," Pennsylvania state Rep. Jesse Topper (R), one of the lead co-sponsors of the legislation, HB 360, stated upon its passage on June 5.
"Marriage is a life-altering decision and those who enter into it must be of a certain maturity that comes with age."
The legislation is expected to pass the Senate and to be signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf (D), NBC News reported.