Critics have slammed a proposed new law in Tennessee that would eliminate age requirements for marriage in the state, claiming the bill would potentially allow children to get married.
Social media users harshly criticized the bill, HB 233, which is being sponsored by Republican state Representative Tom Leatherwood. The bill has passed the Tennessee House’s Children and Family Affairs subcommittee and is due before the House Civil Justice Committee on Wednesday.
Human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid tweeted: “Tennessee Republican Tom Leatherwood has passed HB 233 out of committee. Leatherwood acknowledged there’s no minimum age requirement on purpose. This is absolutely horrifying and unacceptable.”
The current minimum age for marrying in Tennessee is 17 and Leatherwood, who has acknowledged that the new bill doesn’t contain an age limit, defended the proposal by making reference to religious beliefs.
Hellbound and Down 