New Connecticut law bans these marriages

Connecticut is set to prohibit marriages between first cousins as a new law signed earlier this year goes into effect October 1.

Newsweek reached out to the governor’s office by email Saturday during non-working hours for more information.

Why It Matters

The upcoming prohibition marks a shift in Connecticut family law while aligning the state with more than 30 others in restricting first cousin marriages.

Previous state law already barred marriage between close relatives including parents, grandparents, siblings, and children.

By enacting this measure, Connecticut joins a trend among states targeting perceived genetic and social concerns associated with first cousin marriage, particularly the potential increased risk of birth defects in offspring.

What To Know

Lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican Parties voted to pass the bill, which was subsequently signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont.

The legislative move will not place penalties on those who were married before the law comes into force, nor will it invalidate current marriages performed under previous law.

State Representative Devin Carney, a Republican, led the bill’s introduction, having noticed Connecticut stood apart from more than 30 states that already had similar prohibitions.

Democratic State Representative Steve Stafstrom, co-chair of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, explained the move as necessary to prevent future legal confusion, saying, “Science shows that procreation between first cousins increases the chances of birth defects. We also didn’t want to penalize or jeopardize any marriages that occurred when it was legal,” the Connecticut Post reported.

Connecticut’s new regulations mirror a prevailing legal stance across the country, with more than 30 states forbidding first cousin marriages. In New England, New Hampshire similarly bans the marriages, while Maine allows them with genetic counseling.

In contrast, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont still permit first cousin unions.

Nationally, first cousin marriage remains legal in states such as Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia.

South Dakota goes further by restricting not only marriage, but also sexual relations and cohabitation between first cousins.

The legislative push was not prompted by controversy in Connecticut, but rather a desire for consistency and perceived public health benefits. Supporters pointed to scientific studies suggesting increased risk of birth defects when close relatives have children.

Critics of the law, however, argue that governmental restrictions on personal relationships may overstep the state’s role.

What People Are Saying

Democratic State Representative Steve Stafstrom told the Connecticut Post: “Science shows that procreation between first cousins increases the chances of birth defects. We also didn’t want to penalize or jeopardize any marriages that occurred when it was legal.”

Emily, a local resident told WFSB: “I think people love who they love, and the government should have no say in that.”

What Happens Next

Lawmakers are unlikely to revisit the subject in the near future barring new controversies or related public health data. Similar laws remain under consideration or debate in a handful of jurisdictions nationwide.