Sebelius Establishes Minimum Marriage Age

Sebelius Establishes Minimum Marriage Age

Marriage age bill among four bills signed today by Governor

In October, Governor Kathleen Sebelius called for the establishment of a minimum marriage age in Kansas in order to prevent child abusers from using wedding vows as a shield.

Today, Sebelius signed the minimum marriage age into law.

"We have a responsibility to protect young Kansans from harm, and we have a duty to prevent abusers from using marriage as a way to conceal their abuse," Sebelius. "This is the latest in a series of actions we're taking to protect Kansas children from abuse, and I'm pleased to sign the minimum marriage age into law."

HB 2541 amends existing law to set 18 as the minimum age one can marry without consent from a combination of parents, a legal guardian and/or a judge. A person who is 16 or 17 years of age may marry only if they have the express consent of one of the following:

* One parent or legal guardian and the consent of a judge;
* Both parents and any legal guardian;
* All then-living parents and any legal guardian;
* Or if parents are dead and there is no legal guardian, then a judge of the district court may give consent after due investigation.

Sebelius had originally called for a minimum marriage age of 16, with parental or judicial consent required for marriage of Kansans age 16 or 17.

Legislators amended the proposal to authorize a person who is 15 years of age to marry if a district court judge, after due investigation and upon a finding that it is in the best interest of the person to marry, gives consent and issues the marriage license. No one under 15 would be allowed to marry under any circumstances.

Additionally, the bill authorizes a person 16 or older to donate blood voluntarily without parental consent as long as the donor receives no compensation for the donation.

The bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.

Governor Sebelius also signed into law three other bills. During the 2006 Legislative session, the Governor has signed 186 bills and vetoed two bills.

Restricting the driver's license of individuals owing child support

HB 2706 restricts the driver's license of any person who owes $500 or more in child support, limiting that person to driving to and from work or school, or driving in the event of a medical emergency. The bill also expands the definition of "traffic offense" to include driving without proof of insurance, allowing juveniles 14 and over who violate this provision to be prosecuted as adults in municipal court and in the district court rather than being prosecuted under the Juvenile Offenders Code. Additionally, the bill expands the provisions of the motor vehicle liability insurance law regarding nonpayment of damages to require the person to file specific proof of financial security, show that he/she has paid the reinstatement fee and has been released from liability, among other things. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.

Allowing for city-county unification in Greeley County

SB 164 establishes a process for a possible city-county unification in Greeley County, including submitting the plan agreed upon by the unification commission for public vote during a general election. This bill will take effect after publication in the Kansas Register.

Establishing criteria for electricians to be licensed

SB 498 requires governing bodies of counties and cities that require electricians to be licensed to adopt rules and regulations requiring all persons receiving electricians' licenses to obtain continuing education. It also establishes criteria that applicants must meet before sitting for the standard licensure examination. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.

http://www.ksgovernor.org/news/docs/news_rel051706b.html