Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran says he doesn't support a bill that would put a complete ban on child marriage.
Corcoran said Thursday the state shouldn't tell some high school sweethearts they shouldn't get married if a pregnancy is involved.
The Senate passed a bill that would ban the marriage of anyone younger than 18 with no exceptions. Corcoran said he's against that and defended exceptions in a similar House bill that lets 16- and 17-year-olds marry if there's a pregnancy and the partner isn't more than two years older. Minors would need parental consent and paternity would have to be confirmed.
Corcoran said the House bill would still prevent similar forced marriages.
The House bill is ready for a full chamber vote.
Florida doesn't allow anyone younger than 18 to independently consent to marriage. Children aged 16 and 17 can marry with the consent of both children's parents. But if a pregnancy is involved, there is no minimum age for marriage as long as a judge approves the marriage license.