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NC is destination for child marriage...new bill seeks to change that
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/15/north-carolina-child-marriage-new-bill"Known for its coastlines, mountains and the state that was “first in flight”, North Carolina has also developed a more dubious reputation as a regional destination for adults who want to marry children.
State lawmakers are nearing passage of a bill that could finally dampen the state’s appeal as the go-to place to bring child brides – but would still leave it short of a national push to increase the age to 18. The proposed legislation would raise the minimum marriage age from 14 to 16 and limit the age difference between a 16-year-old and their spouse to four years.
....
Reisinger said the county, which includes the popular tourist city of Asheville, is a destination for many adults and child brides from nearby states such as Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee – all of which have raised the minimum marriage age in recent years.
Two-thirds of the marriage applications in Buncombe county last year were filed by nonresidents seeking to marry an underage person, Reisinger said."...(more)