Arkansas Fixes Toddler Marriage Loophole - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 08-18-2007, 12:14 AM

See post #16 for an update.

Quote:

link

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?

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.

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/...e_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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

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

We should get an act together Cat.....trouble is, WHO would be the "straight man"?

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!!"

catlover79 · 08-19-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

"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!!"

I'm almost 28 and unmarried - what does that make me??

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!!

Mikado · 08-19-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I'm almost 28 and unmarried - what does that make me??

Desirable?

Mikado · 08-19-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

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!!

I guess we can just keep sharing the laughs

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

"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!!"

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

Quote:

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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.

08-18-2007, 12:17 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Gee, these kids just can't wait, can they?
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-18-2007, 12:23 AM	#4
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	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.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

08-18-2007, 05:15 PM	#5
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Error in Arkansas law allows kids to marry 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/...e_age_arkansas
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

08-18-2007, 12:18 AM	#3
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	Coooool...

08-18-2007, 05:53 PM	#6
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	Whats the difference? Most toddlers just prefer to "live together" anyway!

08-19-2007, 01:36 AM	#8
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	We should get an act together Cat.....trouble is, WHO would be the "straight man"?

08-19-2007, 07:20 PM	#9
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	"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!!"

08-20-2007, 03:17 AM	#14
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	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