Florida Passes Bill to Ban Marriage of Anyone Under 17   

Tallahassee (US): Florida lawmakers have approved a bill that would end most child marriages. The House voted 109-1 today for the bill, which would prohibit anyone under the age of 17 from getting married.

The measure emerged after a compromise with the Senate, which originally voted to ban marriages of anyone under 18. The bill says anyone marrying a 17-year-old can't be more than two years older, and minors need parental consent.

Currently, 16- and 17-year-olds can marry with the consent of both sets of parents. If a pregnancy is involved, there's no minimum age for marriage if a judge approves.

Republican Rep George Moraitis voted no. He said last month during a committee meeting that it's "very reasonable" to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent, regardless of whether the girl is pregnant.

AP