View Full Version : Arkansas Fixes Toddler Marriage Loophole
Family Ties Forever! 08-18-2007, 12:14 AM See post #16 for an update.
:lol:
link (http://www.click2houston.com/family/13918616/detail.html)
Typo May Let Toddlers Marry Provision Meant For Pregnant Teens
Posted: 3:35 pm CDT August 17, 2007
Little Rock, Ark. -- Thanks to one little misplaced word, it appears that people of any age can legally be married in Arkansas, with parental consent.
Lawmakers say a law passed this year would even allow infants to be married if their parents agree. And that may force the governor to call a special session to fix the mistake.
The bill's sponsor said the legislation was intended to establish 18 as the minimum age to marry and also let pregnant teenagers marry with parental consent.
An extraneous "not" in the bill, however, allows anyone who is not pregnant to marry at any age if the parents allow it.
A commission that fixes typographical and technical errors in laws had tried to correct the mistake, but a group of legislators argued that the commission went beyond its powers.
The Legislature is not scheduled to meet again until January 2009.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
catlover79 08-18-2007, 12:17 AM Gee, these kids just can't wait, can they? :lol:
Max Whittaker 08-18-2007, 12:18 AM Coooool...
PZelda 08-18-2007, 12:23 AM LOL, it's Arkansas, whaddya expect?
Remember that Arkansas is also home to the famous Duggar family. So, in that state, ANYTHING is always very possible. :faint:
Brian Damage 08-18-2007, 05:15 PM LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A law passed this year allows Arkansans of any age — even infants — to marry if their parents agree, and the governor may have to call a special session to fix the mistake, lawmakers said Friday.
The legislation was intended to establish 18 as the minimum age to marry but also allow pregnant teenagers to marry with parental consent, bill sponsor Rep. Will Bond said. An extraneous "not" in the bill, however, allows anyone who is not pregnant to marry at any age if the parents allow it.
"It's clearly not the intent to allow 10-year-olds or 11-year-olds to get married," Bond said. "The legislation was screwed up."
The bill 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 revision commission — which fixes typographical and technical errors in laws — had tried to correct the mistake, but a group of legislators said Friday the commission went beyond its powers.
"You're either pregnant or you're not pregnant," Sen. Dave Bisbee said. "Rarely will that be a typographical error."
The Arkansas Legislative Council asked the independent commission to reverse its correction. Several lawmakers said a special session may be necessary.
"We need a special session to fix this," Sen. Sue Madison said. "I am concerned about pedophiles coming to Arkansas to find parents who are willing to sign a very young child's consent."
Before the new law took effect July 31, girls could get married with parental consent at 16 and boys at 17.
The Legislature formally adjourned its session in May and is not scheduled to meet again until January 2009, unless Gov. Mike Beebe calls a special session. Beebe said he wanted to look at all options for correcting the error before deciding whether to call a special session.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070818/ap_on_re_us/marriage_age_arkansas
Mikado 08-18-2007, 05:53 PM Whats the difference? Most toddlers just prefer to "live together" anyway! ;)
catlover79 08-19-2007, 01:19 AM Whats the difference? Most toddlers just prefer to "live together" anyway! ;)
They're always playing house anyway, so why not?? ;)
Mikado 08-19-2007, 01:36 AM :lol: We should get an act together Cat.....trouble is, WHO would be the "straight man"? :p
Mikado 08-19-2007, 07:20 PM "My daughter is nearly 4 years old and shes not even engaged yet......i'm so worried that she's going to be an old maid!!" :eek:
catlover79 08-19-2007, 10:25 PM "My daughter is nearly 4 years old and shes not even engaged yet......i'm so worried that she's going to be an old maid!!" :eek:
:rofl: I'm almost 28 and unmarried - what does that make me?? :eek: :lol: Mikey, I don't know who would be the "straight man" in this comedy duo...I think we should let the other fine posters here decide!! :lol:
Mikado 08-19-2007, 10:43 PM :rofl: I'm almost 28 and unmarried - what does that make me?? Desirable? ;)
Mikado 08-19-2007, 10:46 PM Mikey, I don't know who would be the "straight man" in this comedy duo...I think we should let the other fine posters here decide!! :lol:
I guess we can just keep sharing the laughs :D
ps. For the record, I dont have a 4 year old daughter (or a wife), that was a hypothetical daughter, to make a joke. :)
coffield3 08-19-2007, 11:15 PM "My daughter is nearly 4 years old and shes not even engaged yet......i'm so worried that she's going to be an old maid!!" :eek:
:lol:
snl 70s show fan 08-20-2007, 03:17 AM i just turned 36 and im not married yet i guess maybe i should start looking at retirement homes tomarrow its a shame my mother sold the ones that she used to own if she still had them then i could just take one of the rooms for myself
Family Ties Forever! 04-06-2008, 01:19 AM link (http://www.click2houston.com/family/15792821/detail.html)
Arkansas Fixes Toddler Marriage Loophole Extra Word In Law Let Minors With Permission Marry
Posted: 9:58 am CDT April 4, 2008
What had turned into a kind of marriage crisis in Arkansas is over.
Gov. Mike Beebe signed legislation repealing a poorly worded law that had the effect of letting anybody get married as long as they had the permission of a parent.
When the measure was approved last year, the intent was to set 17 as the minimum marriage age for boys and 16 for girls. The only exception would be girls who are pregnant and they would need permission. But the final version had an extraneous word, "not."
It read: "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."
That would be anybody.
Beebe rejected calls for a special session last year to make a fix. He said the chances of children getting married under the law were slim.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Dean Winchester 04-06-2008, 01:40 AM ooooooh, my three year old nephew can marry his preschool girlfriend? that's sweet! :lol:
Cactus Jack 04-06-2008, 01:43 AM ooooooh, my three year old nephew can marry his preschool girlfriend? that's sweet! :lol:
LOL
*when married toddlers grow up*
Kid: Why are my parents 5 years older than me?
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