Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation to prevent child marriage, raising the minimum age for a person to consent to marriage to 18, officials announced.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation to prevent child marriage and protect minors.

The bills raise the minimum age for a person to consent to marriage to 18, according to Whitmer’s office.

“Keeping Michiganders safe and healthy is one of my top priorities, and today’s bipartisan bills will build on our efforts to protect young people—especially young women—from abuse,” said Whitmer. “As a county prosecutor, I went after those who used their power to prey on young people, and as governor, I am proud to sign legislation to strengthen protections for children and survivors into law. Together, we can make Michigan a safe, welcoming state where you can grow up and pursue your potential.”

  • @SpezBroughtMeHere
    -4•1 year ago

    I’m curious as to why she’s been in office for four years and only now thinks it’s an issue that needs addressed. I mean, finally, good. But shouldn’t something like that be day one? I guess roads were more important.

    • Zombie-Mantis
      5•1 year ago

      The governor signs bills, she doesn’t write them, so that’s more of a question for the Michigan legislature. You’re still right, & this should’ve been done years ago, but at least it’s happening. Many states still allow it.

      • @SpezBroughtMeHere
        1•1 year ago

        My bad. I was under the impression that the governor could issue executive orders like what happen during covid. Probably reserved for things they deem important.

        • @dhorkEnglish
          0•1 year ago

          In the US federal government (and I assume most, if not all, state governments), the job of the legislature is to create laws, and the job of the Executive is to enforce and execute them. (The job of the judiciary is to interpret the laws and apply them to individual cases through trials).

          Executive orders are directives issued by the President or Governor that clarify and explain how laws are to be enforced by the Federal agencies under the Executive Branch. They can’t create new law, as that is Congress’s job, but they can clarify how agencies are meant to enforce the law, and in certain cases Congress may explicitly grant certain powers to agencies, so the Executive can make orders on those matters that have the force of law as well.

    • @Chunk
      3•1 year ago

      Also she was probably just as surprised as the people in this thread that child marriage wasn’t illegal.