Today, state Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) and state Senator Louis W. Blessing, III (R-Colerain Township) held a press conference regarding Senate Bill 341, their bipartisan legislation to repeal an Ohio law that allows a minor to get married.

“Right now, Ohio law allows a minor to basically entrap themselves in a marriage where, if anything goes wrong, they won’t be able to help themselves, as they can’t go to a shelter or seek an attorney. This system has led to disastrous results, where 70% to 80% of these marriages end in divorce,” said DeMora. “All of these problems go away when we simply require both people to be adults when they get married. If the kids truly love each other, then surely waiting a year or two to make the most important decision of their lives is not too big a burden.”

Several advocates joined Senator DeMora and Senator Blessing at the press conference, including Fraidy Reiss with Unchained At Last, Emily Gemar with the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Maria York with the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, and Stephanie Lowry, a survivor and advocate.

Watch the full press conference here.