The Louisiana House reversed course in the final hour of the legislative session Thursday.
After having rejected a proposal setting a marriage age earlier, Louisiana lawmakers came to a last-minute agreement setting 16 as the minimum age for someone to marry in the state. The measure will prohibit anyone under the age of 16 to get married, and will prohibit anyone 16 or 17 years old to marry anyone who is three years or more older.
Anyone who is 16 or 17 and wants to marry will need parental and judicial permission.
The bill heads to the governor's desk with a 61-36 House vote and 35-2 Senate vote.
Opponents say they don't want to prohibit pregnant teenagers from marrying. Supporters say a minimum age will help protect teenagers from sexual predators.