In Ohio, the minimum age to marry is lower for girls (16) than for boys (18). And girls age 14 or even younger are allowed to marry if they are pregnant and have parental approval, leading to situations where girls can be pressured to marry much older men.

Girls who marry young are more likely to drop out of high school, and four times less likely to finish college, resulting in a lifetime of diminished earning potential as a result.

House Bill 511--a bipartisan proposal in the Ohio House--would change our marriage laws, raising the age to 18 except in very limited circumstances. (Learn more about House Bill 511 on our website).

The bill passed unanimously out of committee. Today we're asking Ohioans to contact their State Representatives to urge them to vote YES on House Bill 511 when it comes up for a vote.