Tennessee Republican pushes bill to allow CHILD MARRIAGE that would scrap the state's current minimum age of 17 before couple's could tie the knot

Bill sponsor Tom Leatherwood, 65, has introduced a bill into the Tennessee House that would eliminate age limits for common-law marriages

Leatherwood said the bill proposed an 'alternative form of marriage' to those who 'conscientiously object to the current pathway to marriage'

Opponents to the bill worry the lack of age limits could cover up child sex abuse

Nashville Representative Mike Stewart, 57, called the bill 'ridiculous'

He said the bill was a 'get-out-of-jail-free card for people who are basically committing statutory rape'

The state law currently allowed children 17 and older to get married.Minors are required to have parental consent A Republican-proposed bill in Tennessee would remove the age limit for when couple's could exchange wedding vows and clear the way for 'common-law marriages' between 'one man and one woman.'

Representative Tom Leatherwood, 65, of Arlington, introduced the bill into the state's House that would eliminate the current age requirement of 17 and allow for 'alternative forms of marriage' to those who 'conscientiously object to the current pathway to marriage.'

'So, all this bill does is give an alternative form of marriage for those pastors and other individuals who have a conscientious objection to the current pathway to marriage in our law,' the Republican father-of-five said, according to WJHL. 'There is not an explicit age limit.'

Opponents are worried if the bill passes into law, it could be used to cover up child sex abuse and statutory rape.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10688309/GOP-bill-eliminate-age-requirements-marriages-Tennessee-establish-common-law-union.html

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