Newsom Signs California Child Marriage Ban

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1267 in his office on Wednesday, enacting a ban on child marriage in California. The legislation establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships, according to TMZ.com.

Newsom described the measure as "a long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors," and added, "Today, California kids are safer than ever before," he told TMZ.com.

Courtney Stodden, who has spoken publicly about being a survivor of child marriage, attended the signing ceremony. Afterward, she celebrated on Instagram, writing, "A girl can dream … and sometimes the governor signs it into law," according to TMZ.com.

Stodden continued in her post, "Today I watched Governor Newsom sign AB 1267, ending child marriage in California. I spent years wishing someone had protected the little girl I used to be. Today, California protected the next one," she wrote on Instagram, as reported by TMZ.com.

She also addressed a personal nickname she used for the governor: "And yes, I called him Daddy Newsom. What can I say? I've always had a weakness for a man with a pen," she wrote on Instagram, per TMZ.com.

Stodden's own history is central to her advocacy. At age 16, she married actor Doug Hutchison, who was 50 at the time; her parents consented to the union. She has since described the relationship as abusive and predatory, and it attracted widespread public attention. Following her divorce, Stodden has been open about the emotional toll of the marriage and has become a national advocate against child exploitation.

In her Instagram post, Stodden expressed gratitude to Unchained At Last and other survivors, adding, "California is only the beginning. All 50, baby," she wrote, according to TMZ.com.

The new law removes previous provisions that permitted minors to marry with parental consent. Seventeen other states have enacted complete bans on child marriage with no exceptions.