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Florida Bid to Ban First-Cousin Marriage Fails at Session's End

The proposal missed passage due to a stalled Department of Health bill near the session deadline.

Overview

  • First-cousin marriage remains legal in Florida after the latest legislative effort did not pass this session.
  • State Rep. Dean Black advanced the prohibition as an amendment to a Department of Health bill that failed to clear the legislature before time ran out.
  • Coverage indicated the amendment drew little direct opposition, with the broader bill’s gridlock derailing the effort.
  • The proposed text would have denied recognition of incestuous marriages entered into after July 1 for any purpose in Florida.
  • Black says he intends to bring the measure back in a future session, as Florida is among a minority of states that still permit such unions.