'Message of hope': California becomes 18th US state to ban child marriage

California has enacted legislation that bans child marriage, establishing 18 as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will take effect on January 1, 2027. Advocacy groups have supported this measure, citing significant past occurrences of child marriages in the state. Survivors have expressed their relief and urged for similar changes across all states.