Committee recommends measure tightening exceptions to child marriage, retaining limited pathways for 16–17-year-olds SB159, as amended, would make 18 the general marriage age but preserve narrow exceptions for 16–17-year-olds with parental consent or judicial review and add safeguards including a 30‑day waiting period and judicial findings; survivors and advocates urged a full ban.

A South Dakota committee just recommended a bill to make 18 the legal age for marriage, but with some controversial exceptions that have advocates divided.

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