Maryland’s marriage laws have several “loopholes” which can make forced or coerced child marriage more likely, according to a report released Wednesday by the Tahirih Justice Center.

Though Maryland does set a minimum age for marriage — 25 states do not — there is no official proof of age required to get a marriage license, pregnancy can lower the age of marriage below 18 and clerks rather than judges approve marriage licenses, according to the report, “Falling Through the Cracks: How Laws Allow Child Marriage to Happen in Today’s America.”

Report: Maryland marriage laws make forced child marriage more likely – The Daily Record