Michigan Legislature Passes Ban on Child Marriage Despite Republican Opposition.

The Michigan Senate has voted to ban child marriage after a 10-bill package was approved. The package would remove a provision that allows someone who is 16 or 17 years old to enter into a marriage contract as long as they have the written consent of one of their parents. The minimum age of consent for sexual contact in Michigan is 16. Republican state Sen. Jim Runestad criticized the proposal and alleged he was being censored by Democratic leadership. The Michigan House approved a similar package on Wednesday.