"Children should be allowed to live their childhood and I thank the many legislators and advocates who worked diligently to advance this measure and further prevent forced marriages in this state."Ĭhild marriage happens in America through various legal loopholes and exceptions at the state level, which is where marriage licenses are issued, experts say. "This administration fought hard to successfully end child marriage in New York and I'm proud to sign this legislation to strengthen our laws and further protect vulnerable children from exploitation," Cuomo, a Democrat, said in a statement.