H.B. No. 168 amends the Texas Family Code to establish stricter regulations regarding the age at which individuals may marry. The bill specifies that a county clerk cannot issue a marriage license if either applicant is under 18 years of age, eliminating previous provisions that allowed for exceptions if a court order removing the disabilities of minority was presented. Additionally, it clarifies that any marriage entered into by a party younger than 18 is considered void, regardless of whether such a court order exists.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new provision allowing parties to a void marriage, who were minors at the time of the marriage, to seek division of property and spousal maintenance as if they were involved in a dissolution of marriage. The bill repeals Section 2.003 of the Family Code and specifies that the new regulations will apply only to marriage license applications and marriages entered into on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 2.009, Family Code 2.101, Family Code 6.205, Family Code 2.003 (Family Code 6, Family Code 2)
House Committee Report: Family Code 2.009, Family Code 2.101, Family Code 6.205, Family Code 2.003 (Family Code 6, Family Code 2)
Engrossed: Family Code 2.009, Family Code 2.101, Family Code 6.205, Family Code 2.003 (Family Code 6, Family Code 2)