Proving the importance of a good copyeditor, lawmakers in Arkansas passed a law this year that mistakenly allows state residents of any age—even babies—to marry with parental permission, as long as they are not pregnant. The bill says: “In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage.”
The law was intended to set 18 as the minimum age for marriage, but provide an exception for pregnant teenagers. Same-sex couples, even those over 18, are still prohibited from marriage by a state constitutional amendment. Now, of course, those with children can at least marry off their straight toddlers and get back to the business of destroying the foundations of society.
The governor may have to call a special session to correct the bill. While he’s at it, about that amendment . . . .
Same thing almost happened here when we where trying to get a civil union law approved. We were discussing the law with some representatives and we noticed that they had changed the text and it said “two or more persons” instead of “two persons”… It went by over at least 40 hands in 6 months without anyone noticing that. We had to correct it but it was voted off anyways.