H.R. 9758: Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2026

The bill would take several steps aimed at reducing child marriage and tightening related federal rules.

Federal study and reporting

It would create a federal commission to study child marriage and direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide reports on the issue. The commission and reports would help track how often child marriage occurs, how state laws differ, and what policies are being used to address it.

Support for states and incentives to ban child marriage

The bill would provide funding for state task forces focused on child marriage. It would also create incentives for states to adopt laws banning child marriage, encouraging states to set stricter minimum marriage age rules.

Limits on marriages involving minors on federal property

It would prohibit the use of federal property for marriages if either person is under 18. This would apply to places controlled by the federal government where marriage ceremonies might otherwise occur.

Changes to immigration rules for marriage and fiancé visas

The bill would change immigration rules for marriage-based and fiancé visas to make it harder for child or underage spouse situations to be used in immigration cases. It would:

• Require an in-person meeting within the past 2 years for certain proxy marriages.
• Require private interviews when one spouse or fiancé was under 18.
• Update immigration forms and procedures to reflect the new rules.

Public education and notice requirements

To increase awareness, the bill would require widespread public education efforts in multiple languages. This would include distributing pamphlets, posting information on websites, and updating forms and materials so people are informed about the new marriage and immigration rules.

Relevant Companies

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