Anonymous Report This Comment Date: August 28, 2007 06:53PM
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- It looks like it might be legal for people of any age to
get married in Arkansas for a while longer.
Gov. Mike Beebe said he's not inclined to call a special legislative session to
fix an error in a new law that would even allow toddlers to marry with parental
consent.
The law was supposed to allow anyone who is pregnant to marry at any age if the
parents allow it. Instead, an extraneous word makes it apply to anyone who is
"not pregnant."
The state Legislature isn't scheduled to meet again until January 2009.
Beebe said he could call a special session if legislative leaders push for one,
but that he'd rather avoid the expense.
In the meantime, he said most clerks feel that they don't have to issue marriage
licenses to children "under situations that would make them
vulnerable."