In Florida, minors can currently marry if they have parental consent or if the couple is expecting a child, but Senate Bill 140 aims to change that.
Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto of District 27, the district covering the majority of Lee County, introduced the bill, citing the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' conclusions that "child marriage leads to increased risk of domestic violence as well as mental and physical illnesses."
Dr. Judith McFarlane was the lead researcher of "Child Brides, Forced Marriage, and Partner Violence in America," the 2016 study being quoted by these efforts.
Dr. McFarlane joins Gulf Coast Live to discuss her findings in the context of this recent bill.
