Bill making underage marriage illegal delayed amid concerns on Senate floor

In one of the longest floor debates of the year, the Senate punted on a bill that would make changes to the state’s matrimony law, which has resulted in questionable underage marriages.

After nearly 40 minutes of discussion, Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, opted to delay voting on his bill that would make marriage in Tennessee illegal for anyone under the age of 18.

Current law allows a county clerk to issue a marriage license for anyone under the age of 16 provided a county mayor or judge signs off. In 2016, that meant 42 men and 166 women under the age of 18 in Tennessee who were married.

More: Child marriage in Tennessee: Lawmakers take action to close legal loophole

More: Kentucky's 'child bride' bill stalls as groups fight to let 13-year-olds wed

A national nonprofit noted the state's law has resulted in at least three cases where a 10-year-old Tennessean married an adult man.

Much like when the measure was under lengthy consideration in committee, Yarbro cited statistics while arguing that many who enter marriages underage experience higher levels of abuse and divorce.

"More than 85 percent of the 9,000 marriages that have happened since 2000 are underage girls marrying adult men," Yarbro said.

Yarbro pointed out that state law prohibits minors from entering other contracts, including with an attorney who can provide consultation in the event that a person may need an order of protection from an abusive spouse.

As the bill was being discussed, several Republican lawmakers objected to the fact that the legislation did not make certain exceptions, including exempting a 17-year-old who may be deployed for military duty.

"I believe that the sponsor is trying to do something good," said Sen. Mark Pody, R-Mt. Juliet, who noted Yarbro's legislation would have prevented him from marrying his wife 44 years ago.

"I don't like the fact that there's not a way there are no exceptions," said Pody.

Similarly, Sens. Mike Bell, R-Riceville; Ken Yager, R-Kingston; and Kerry Roberts, R-Springfield; all expressed their own concerns about Yarbro's bill.

But not all Republicans were skeptical about the legislation.

"It is disconcerting to think about if a 17-year-old girl gets married to a 25-year-old man and she wants to get a divorce or take out an order of protection, she can't retain an attorney," said Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol.

Rather than risk having his bill rejected, Yarbro opted to delay the vote until another day.

The legislation has yet to be taken up in the House.

Meanwhile, House lawmakers approved a bill Monday that would prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from using a tanning bed.

Tennesseans between 16 and 18 years old would need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to use a tanning device, according to HB 1489.

The chamber approved the measure with an 89-4 vote, sending it to Gov. Bill Haslam's desk.

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.