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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2006 > February > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHouse votes to close marriage loophole for minors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia House voted to close a loophole that allows children under 16 to marry if a pregnancy is involved.
The bill, which passed 142-27, was in response to a law that allows children under the minimum age of 16 to get married without parental consent if a pregnancy is involved. Georgia is one of few states with such an exception.
That loophole angered the relatives of a 15-year-old Gainesville boy who used it to marry his alleged pregnant lover, 37-year-old Lisa Lynette Clark, in November. Days later, Clark was arrested and charged with child molestation because of her relationship with the boy, her teenage son’s best friend.
Many lawmakers didn’t know the exception, approved decades ago, even existed. It was approved to prevent out-of-wedlock births by making it easy for anyone pregnant to get married.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Franklin (R-Marietta), had the strong backing of Republicans and Democrats. It would make 16- and 17-year-olds get parent consent to marry, and force children under that age to get approval from the courts.
“This is a strong, pro-family bill,” Franklin said.
Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) said, “I don’t think we as legislators should let what I consider babies get married without parental consent.”
However, Rep. Randal Mangham (D-Decatur), said it would push girls into having abortions if they couldn’t get married, or force the state to support their children.
“What is worse, paying welfare to some girl … or giving her a chance?” he asked.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Breaking news
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By bill kecskes
February 23, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
I think the General Assembly is continuing to make a mistake. The law should be amended to read that NO ONE be permitted to get a marriage license undert he age of 18 - period! Additionally, no one under the age of 18 should be granted “legal emancipation”. Parents must be fully responsible for their children for at least a full 18 years. This would be an excellent way to stop welfare abuse and slow down Georgia’s embarrassing teenage pregnancy rate. If our General Assembly is serious about promoting family values and asserting fiscal responsiblity - and curbing welfare abuse - then this is this approach would be a good first step.