A bill tightening South Dakota’s marriage laws for minors advanced Monday, keeping the legal marriage age at 18 but making exceptions for younger teens more restrictive.
The House State Affairs Committee voted 7–5 to endorse Senate Bill 159, which would prohibit marriage under age 16. Current law sets no minimum age if parents consent.
For 16- and 17‑year‑olds, the bill would require consent from both parents or a judge, and it limits the age gap between partners to no more than four years. State law currently has no such restriction.
Sponsor Sen. Tom Pischke said he proposed the bill after repeated attempts to raise the legal age to 18 with no exceptions. He argued that because South Dakota’s age of consent is 16, banning marriage for those under 18 could send the wrong message.
Supporters included Norman Woods of Family Voice Action, who favored even broader age‑gap allowances. The only opposition at the hearing came from two out‑of‑state witnesses who argued for a strict 18‑and‑over standard.
Rep. Erin Healy, one of five no votes, said she plans to seek an amendment on the House floor to ban all marriages under 18. Rep. Marty Overweg also voted no, saying the bill imposes unnecessary government restrictions.
The full House could take up the measure as early as Wednesday.
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