Indiana lawmakers could make it more difficult for anyone younger than 18 to get married.
The bill is advancing after a House committee heard from women who were 15 or 16 when their parents forced them to marry men who had raped or molested them and then faced more abuse before being able to escape the relationship.
Current law allows those younger than 18 to marry if they have parental consent.
A proposal being considered would make 18 the general age for marriage.
The only exception would be a 17-year-old if the intended spouse isn’t more than four years older and a juvenile court judge gives permission.
