A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2026 aims to comprehensively combat child marriage within the United States. To achieve this, the bill establishes a National Commission to study the extent of child marriage and its various impacts. It also creates a grant program to help eligible States establish task forces to examine the issue and its risk factors. Additionally, the legislation provides financial incentives for States that implement laws prohibiting marriage for those under age 18. The bill further modifies immigration laws regarding visas for noncitizen spouses and fiances to address these concerns. Finally, it mandates public education efforts regarding the harms of child marriage and the available resources for support.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
The bill creates systemic protections and studies intended to prevent the harms of child marriage.
- Scored +8
Would women be better off under this?
The bill addresses protections for girls and women who face increased risks from child marriage.
- Scored +8
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?
The bill targets child marriage which the text notes significantly impacts the health, education, and safety of girls.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill imposes more restrictive visa requirements and mandatory private interviews for noncitizen spouses where a party was a minor.
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill introduces more stringent requirements and interviews for certain marriage-based visa classifications.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Creation of a National Commission: The bill establishes a commission to conduct a comprehensive study on child marriage, including applicable laws and the extent to which these marriages occur (Section 4(a)). This could provide the data necessary to address the issue effectively.
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State Task Forces: The bill allows for grants to help States establish task forces to examine risk factors, such as family violence and human trafficking, and develop policy recommendations (Section 6(a)).
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Incentives for Law Changes: States that pass laws prohibiting marriage for individuals under 18 can receive increased funding through covered formula grants (Section 7(b)).
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Federal Property Restrictions: The bill prohibits the use of Federal property to facilitate marriages unless both parties are at least 18 years old (Section 8).
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Immigration Protections: The bill modifies immigration provisions to include specific requirements for visas, such as requiring separate, private interviews for parties where at least one person was under 18 at the time of marriage (Section 10(e)).
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Public Education: The bill mandates that federal agencies provide public education regarding the harmful impacts of child marriage and available support resources (Section 10(g)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Immigration Restrictions: The bill modifies several visa classifications, including K visas and those for immediate relatives, which may affect how noncitizens access the United States based on their age at the time of marriage (Section 10(b)).
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Visa Requirements: The bill requires immigration officers to conduct separate, private interviews in cases where at least one party was under 18 at the time of marriage or engagement (Section 10(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill creates systemic protections and studies intended to prevent the harms of child marriage. Would women be better off under this? — The bill addresses protections for girls and women who face increased risks from child marriage. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides protections for those transitioning into adulthood who may have been in marriages involving minors. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill aims to mitigate the long-term economic disadvantages caused by child marriage. Would students be better off under this? — The bill aims to protect educational opportunities by preventing early marriages. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill imposes more restrictive visa requirements and mandatory private interviews for noncitizen spouses where a party was a minor.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill targets child marriage which the text notes significantly impacts the health, education, and safety of girls. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By preventing child marriage, the bill aims to reduce the long-term risk of poverty associated with early marriage. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill's focus on reducing child marriage may disproportionately help marginalized groups vulnerable to these practices. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill introduces more stringent requirements and interviews for certain marriage-based visa classifications.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill seeks to prevent child marriage, which the text notes negatively impacts college graduation rates.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes a National Commission to study and report on the extent of child marriage.
- 8/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/16/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois