Lawmakers in Arkansas were embarrassed recently when they inadvertently passed a law that made it legal for toddlers to get married.The law was intended to set the minimum age for marriage at 18.
Unfortunately, the bill had an extraneous "not" in it that actually made it possible for anyone--- even a toddler-- to get married with permission, (unless they are pregnant).
The bill that was passed read: "In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage."
The law has been repealed. whew.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2008-04-03-arkansas-marriage-law_N.htm?csp=34
note: if every state required its lawmakers to be literate, this problem might have been averted.
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