,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #diij ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,august #a1 #bjbd ,mr4 ,durbin 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 and ,mrs4 ,gillibrand7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary ,a ,,bill ,to comprehensively combat child marriage in the ,united ,states4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,child ,marriage ,prevention ,act of #bjbd4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,over #cjj1jjj minors were married in the ,united ,states between #bjjj and #bjah4 ,most were wed to adult men and some were as young as #aj years of age1 though most were #af or #ag years of age4 7#b7 ,child marriage limits educational opportunities4 ,women who marry before they turn #ai years of age are #ej percent more likely to drop out of high school and #d times less likely to graduate from college4 7#c7 ,girls who marry in their early teens are up to #ca percent more likely to live in future poverty4 7#d7 ,child marriage has harmful consequences for mental and physical health4 ,women who married as children have higher rates of certain psychiatric disorders4 ,another study found that women who marry before #ai years of age have a #bc percent greater risk of developing a serious health condition1 including diabetes1 cancer1 heart attack1 or stroke4 7#e7 ,child marriage can facilitate physical1 emotional1 and verbal abuse4 ,girls and young women #af to #bd years of age experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence1 and girls #af to #ai years of age experience intimate partner violence victimization rates that are almost triple the national average4 ,further1 the majority of ,states allow marriage to be used as a defense to statutory rape laws1 which can incentivize perpetrators to marry victims to preempt prosecutions4 7#f7 #gj to #hj percent of marriages entered into when at least one person is under #ah years of age ultimately end in divorce4 ,according to one study based on census data1 #bc percent of children who marry are already separated or divorced by the time they turn #ah years of age4 7#g7 ,depending on the ,state1 a child facing a forced marriage or a married minor trying to leave may find themselves with few options4 ,a minor trying to avoid a forced marriage may not be able to leave home without being taken into custody and returned by police and may not be able to stay in a domestic violence shelter at all or in a youth shelter for longer than a few days4 ,friends or allies of a child escaping a marriage who offer to take them in could risk being charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor or harboring a runaway4 ,and1 if the minor attempts to obtain a home of their own1 they may find no one willing to rent to them1 because in many circumstances1 minors cannot be held to contracts they enter4 7#h7 ,depending on the ,state1 a minor who is being forced or coerced into marriage may not be entitled to file on their own for a protective order4 ,further1 not all ,states clearly treat married minors as emancipated1 meaning they still have the limited legal status and rights of a child and face similar vulnerabilities and challenges seeking help4 7#i7 ,child marriage in the ,united ,states can also be facilitated through the immigration system4 ,subject to rare exceptions1 ,united ,states immigration law recognizes marriages as valid if they were legal where they took place and where the parties will reside4 ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services reported that between fiscal year #bjjg and fiscal year #bjag1 it approved #h1fhf petitions for spousal or fianc visas that involved at least one minor1 though it remains unclear how many of these visas were ultimately approved by the ,department of ,state4 ,however1 approximately #b4f percent of fianc and spousal petitions were returned unapproved to ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services between fiscal year #bjjg and fiscal year #bjag4 ,it is therefore reasonable to conclude that the ,united ,states issued a visa to a significant number of the spouses and fiancs named on the #h1fhf petitions4 7#aj7 ,four ,states set no statutory minimum age for marriage4 ,in #ac ,states and the ,district of ,columbia1 clerks acting on their own--without judges--can issue marriage licenses for all minors4 ,four ,states permit pregnancy to lower the minimum marriage age and in one ,state1 ,mississippi1 the statute sets different conditions for approvals for girls and boys4 7#aa7 ,there is a growing movement to eliminate child marriage in the ,united ,states and #ac ,states--,delaware1 ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 ,minnesota1 ,rhode ,island1 ,new ,york1 ,massachusetts1 ,vermont1 ,connecticut1 ,michigan1 ,washington1 ,virginia1 and ,new ,hampshire have set the minimum age for marriage at #ah years of age1 with no exceptions4 ,since #bjaf1 a total of #ce ,states have enacted new laws to end or limit child marriage with #e more ,states requiring parties to be legal adults 7meaning that the only exception to the requirement to be #ah years of age to be married is for certain court-emancipated minors74 ,until all ,states take action1 however1 the patchwork of ,state laws will continue to put all children1 particularly girls1 at risk1 given the ease with which they can be taken out of their home ,state into another ,state with lax or no laws4 7#ab7 ,the foreign policy of the ,united ,states is already imbued with these understandings that child marriage is harmful and should be prevented1 including the following3 7,a7 ,the ,department of ,state in its ,foreign ,affairs ,manual states the ,federal ,government view of forced marriage to be a violation of basic human rights4 ,it also considers the forced marriage of a minor child to be a form of child abuse1 since the child will presumably be subjected to non-consensual sex44 7,b7 ,the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development observes that ,child1 ,early1 and ,forced ,marriage 7,in this paragraph referred to as ,,cefm7 impedes girls' education and increases early pregnancy and the risk of maternal mortality1 obstetric complications1 gender-based violence1 and ,,hiv_/,,aids4 ,children of young mothers have higher rates of infant mortality and malnutrition compared to children of mothers older than #ah4 ''' ,,cefm is also associated with reductions in economic productivity for individuals and nations at large4 ,,cefm is a human rights abuse and a practice that undermines efforts to promote sustainable growth and development44 7,c7 ,congress enacted the ,violence ,against ,women ,reauthorization ,act of #bjac 7,public ,law #aac-d2 #abg ,stat4 #ed71 which requires the ,secretary of ,state to establish and implement a multiyear strategy-- 7i7 to prevent child marriages2 and 7ii7 to promote the empowerment of girls at risk of child marriage in developing countries4 7#ac7 ,in #bjba1 the ,national ,strategy on ,gender ,equity and ,equality named child marriage as a form of gender-based violence that undermines human rights globally and domestically1 noting-- 7,a7 ,millions of women and girls remain at risk of female genital mutilation_/cutting 7,,fgm_/,c7 and child1 early and forced marriage1 forms of gender-based violence that undermine security and human rights1 including here in the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 ,in the ,united ,states1 we will collaborate with state officials to prevent and address harmful practices that undermine human rights1 including laws that permit child1 early and forced marriage ''' and ensure access to social services for those harmed44 7#ad7 ,the report titled ,u4,s4 ,national ,plan to ,end ,gender-,based ,violence3 ,strategies for ,action1 published in ,may1 #bjbc1 which focuses on preventing and addressing various forms of interpersonal violence occurring within the ,united ,states1 defines gender-based violence as a range of interpersonal violence across the life course including child1 early1 and forced marriage4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,noncitizen ,the term noncitizen means any person who is not a citizen or national of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,state ,the term ,state means each of the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 and any commonwealth1 territory1 or possession of the ,united ,states4 #d4 ,federal commission to address child marriage 7a7 ,in general ,there is established within the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services a commission1 to be known as the ,national ,commission to ,combat ,child ,marriage in the ,united ,states 7in this section referred to as the ,commission71 which shall-- 7#a7 conduct a comprehensive study on child marriage in the ,united ,states1 including-- 7,a7 applicable laws1 or the absence of laws1 which define or prohibit child marriage2 7,b7 the extent to which such marriages currently occur2 7,c7 the extent to which such marriages occurred over the last #e years in each ,state2 7,d7 the circumstances in which such marriages take place 7including risk factors that may have played a role in such marriages taking place72 and 7,e7 the impact of such marriages on the individuals who were married before turning #ah years of age2 7#b7 build upon the evaluations of other entities and avoid unnecessary duplication1 by reviewing the findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations of other commissions1 the ,federal ,government1 ,state and local governments1 ,state task forces1 and nongovernmental entities relating to child marriage in the ,united ,states2 7#c7 submit a report on specific findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations to eliminate child marriage in the ,united ,states to-- 7,a7 the ,committee on the ,judiciary and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on the ,judiciary and the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,c7 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services2 and 7#d7 carry out other duties as described in subsection 7c74 7b7 ,composition of commission 7#a7 ,members ,the ,commission shall be composed of #aj members1 of whom-- 7,a7 #a member shall be appointed by the ,president2 7,b7 #a member1 who is of a different political party than that of the member appointed under paragraph 7#a71 shall be appointed by the ,president2 7,c7 #d members shall be appointed by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services2 7,d7 #a member shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate2 7,e7 #a member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate2 7,f7 #a member shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,g7 #a member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,governmental appointees ,an individual appointed to the ,commission may not be an officer or employee of the ,federal ,government4 7#c7 ,commission representation ,the ,commission shall include at least-- 7,a7 #a survivor of child marriage2 7,b7 #a representative from a private nonprofit entity with demonstrated expertise in working with survivors of child marriage in the ,united ,states2 7,c7 #a representative from a private nonprofit entity with demonstrated expertise in working with immigrant survivors of child marriage in the ,united ,states2 and 7,d7 #a representative from a private nonprofit entity with demonstrated expertise in working with ,state governments to limit child marriage4 7#d7 ,qualifications ,members appointed under paragraph 7#a7 shall have demonstrated experience or expertise in-- 7,a7 providing services to survivors of child marriage in the ,united ,states2 7,b7 providing services to immigrant survivors of child marriage in the ,united ,states2 7,c7 working with ,state governments to limit child marriage2 7,d7 the medical challenges that survivors of child marriage face2 7,e7 the mental health challenges that survivors of child marriage face2 7,f7 legal issues involving individuals who were married or sought to marry before becoming #ah years of age2 7,g7 conducting research on the impact of child marriage on individuals who were married before becoming #ah years of age2 7,h7 risk factors that play a role in child marriage2 or 7,i7 issues of forced or coerced marriage1 family violence1 sexual assault1 human trafficking1 or child abuse4 7#e7 ,initial meeting ,not later than #abj days after the appointment of members of the ,commission1 the ,commission shall-- 7,a7 hold an initial meeting1 at which the members shall elect a ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson1 who shall be of different political parties1 from among such members and shall determine a schedule of ,commission meetings2 and 7,b7 begin the operations of the ,commission4 7#f7 ,quorum and vacancy 7,a7 ,quorum ,a majority of the members of the ,commission shall constitute a quorum1 but a lesser number of members may hold hearings4 7,b7 ,vacancy ,any vacancy in the ,commission shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made4 7c7 ,duties of the commission ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 conduct pursuant to subsection 7a7 a comprehensive study that examines and assesses the adequacy of laws addressing child marriage1 the extent of child marriage across the country1 risk factors that play a role in child marriage1 and the impact of child marriage on those individuals in the ,united ,states who marry before becoming #ah years of age1 including making specific findings relating to-- 7,a7 threats to such individuals' safety and well-being1 including-- 7i7 physical and mental health1 economic1 and educational impacts2 7ii7 forced or coerced marriage2 7iii7 family violence2 7iv7 vulnerability to abuse and exploitation2 7v7 sexual assault2 7vi7 child abuse and neglect2 and 7vii7 human trafficking2 7,b7 barriers to and gaps in services for minors facing the threat of forced marriage or already married minors seeking protection from abuse2 7,c7 ,federal laws1 regulations1 policies1 and programs relevant to child marriage and individuals who marry before becoming #ah years of age2 and 7,d7 based on a survey of such laws1 ,state laws defining or prohibiting child marriage1 including lessons learned from ,states that have1 or that lack1 laws1 regulations1 and policies to limit child marriage2 and 7#b7 submit to the ,president1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 and ,congress a report on the specific findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations to address and ultimately eliminate child marriage in the ,united ,states and improve services and outcomes for survivors of child marriage in the ,united ,states1 including specific recommendations on policies1 regulations1 and legislative changes as the ,commission considers appropriate to address child marriage in the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,powers of the commission 7#a7 ,hearings ,the ,commission may hold such hearings1 meet and act at such times and places1 and receive such evidence as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the ,commission4 7#b7 ,information from federal agencies 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,commission may access1 to the extent authorized by law1 from any executive department1 bureau1 agency1 board1 commission1 office1 independent establishment1 or instrumentality of the ,federal ,government such information1 suggestions1 estimates1 and statistics as the ,commission considers necessary to carry out this section4 7,b7 ,provision of information ,on written request of the ,chairperson of the ,commission1 each department1 bureau1 agency1 board1 commission1 office1 independent establishment1 or instrumentality shall1 to the extent authorized by law1 provide the requested information to the ,commission4 7,c7 ,receipt1 handling1 storage1 and dissemination ,information shall only be received1 handled1 stored1 and disseminated by members of the ,commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes1 regulations1 and ,executive orders4 7#c7 ,listening sessions ,the ,commission shall organize and facilitate listening sessions with survivors of1 advocates on issues relating to1 and experts on child marriage in order to discharge its duties under this section4 7#d7 ,donations ,the ,commission may accept1 use1 and dispose of donations of services or property4 7#e7 ,postal services ,the ,commission may use the ,united ,states mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as a department or agency of the ,united ,states4 7e7 ,travel expenses ,each member of the ,commission shall serve without compensation1 but shall receive travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with applicable provisions in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the ,government service are allowed expenses under section #egjc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7f7 ,federal advisory committee act applicability ,chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall apply to the ,commission1 including the staff of the ,commission4 7g7 ,reports of commission and termination 7#a7 ,interim report ,the ,commission shall1 not later than #a year after the date of the initial meeting of the ,commission1 submit to the ,president and ,congress an interim report containing specific findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations required under this section as have been agreed to by a majority of ,commission members4 7#b7 ,other reports and information 7,a7 ,reports ,the ,commission may issue additional reports as the ,commission determines necessary4 7,b7 ,information ,the ,commission may hold public hearings to collect information and shall make such information available for use by the public4 7#c7 ,final report ,the ,commission shall1 not later than #b years after the date of the initial meeting of the ,commission1 submit a final report containing specific findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations required under this section as have been agreed to by a majority of ,commission members to-- 7,a7 the ,president2 7,b7 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services2 7,c7 the ,committee on the ,judiciary and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on the ,judiciary and the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#d7 ,termination 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,commission1 and all the authorities of this section1 shall terminate #ahj days after the date on which the final report is submitted under paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,records ,not later than the date of termination of the ,commission under subparagraph 7,a71 all records and papers of the ,commission shall be delivered to the ,archivist of the ,united ,states for deposit in the ,national ,archives4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section1 #a1ejj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg and #bjbh4 #e4 ,,gao reports 7a7 ,definition ,in this section1 the term appropriate committees of ,congress means the ,committee on the ,judiciary and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 and ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on the ,judiciary and the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives4 7b7 ,child marriage in the ,united ,states 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report describing-- 7,a7 ,federal laws1 regulations1 policies1 and programs relevant to child marriage and individuals who marry before becoming #ah years of age2 7,b7 applicable laws1 or the absence of laws1 which define or prohibit child marriage2 7,c7 the extent to which such marriages occurred during the #e-year period ending on the date of enactment of this ,act in each ,state2 and 7,d7 research and studies published during the #aj-year period ending on the date of enactment of this ,act assessing-- 7i7 the common or typical circumstances in which such marriages take place1 including information indicating the prevalence of forced or coerced marriage and risk factors that may have played a role in such marriages taking place2 and 7ii7 the impact of such marriages on the individuals who were married before turning #ah years of age in the ,united ,states1 including the impact on the safety and well-being of such individuals1 including-- 7,i7 medical and mental health2 7,,ii7 economic and educational outcomes2 7,,iii7 risk of or vulnerability to-- 7aa7 family violence2 7bb7 abuse or exploitation2 7cc7 sexual assault2 7dd7 child abuse or neglect2 or 7ee7 human trafficking2 and 7,,iv7 barriers to and gaps in services for minors facing the threat of forced marriage or already married minors seeking protection from abuse4 7#b7 ,assistance in obtaining information ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states may request that ,states provide the information necessary to address the portion of the report required under paragraph 7#a77;,c74 7c7 ,child marriage and immigration 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and every #b years thereafter through #bjcj1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report that assesses the extent to which-- 7,a7 noncitizens who were under #ah years of age on the date of marriage are admitted to the ,united ,states as beneficiaries of approved petitions submitted by the ,united ,states citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses of the noncitizens2 and 7,b7 the ,united ,states has admitted nonimmigrant spouses who1 on the date on which a nonimmigrant visa petition was submitted for the principal noncitizens1 were under #ah years of age4 7#b7 ,elements ,each report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,for each petition described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 approved during the #b-year period preceding the report-- 7i7 the gender of the beneficiary and petitioner2 7ii7 the ages of the beneficiary and petitioner on-- 7,i7 the date of the marriage2 7,,ii7 the date on which the petition was submitted2 and 7,,iii7 the date on which the petition was approved2 and 7iii7 in the case of a noncitizen who was under #ah years of age on the date on which such a petition was submitted1 a description of the basis upon which the evidentiary requirements were determined to have been met under1 as applicable-- 7,i7 clause 7ii7 of section #aja7;a77#ae77,k7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ae77,k771 as amended by section #h of this ,act2 7,,ii7 clause 7iii77,,ii7 of section #bja7;b77#b77;,a7 of that ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaea7;b77#b77;,a771 as amended by section #h of this ,act2 or 7,,iii7 subparagraph 7,a77ii7 of section #bjc7;a77#b7 of that ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;a77#b771 as amended by section #h of this ,act4 7,b7 ,a summary of feedback from adjudicators of such petitions with respect to whether the evidentiary requirements under the provisions described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,iii7 of subparagraph 7,a77ii7 provide sufficient guidance1 and the manner in which such guidance may be improved4 7,c7 ,specific conclusions and recommendations with respect to whether a minimum age on the date of marriage should be required for beneficiaries of petitions submitted by their ,united ,states citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses4 #f4 ,grant program for ,state task forces to examine child marriage ,the ,family ,violence ,prevention and ,services ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajdja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #cae4 ,state task forces to examine child marriage 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,program ,from amounts made available under subsection 7c71 the ,secretary may award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible ,states to establish a ,state-based task force to examine child marriage in the eligible ,state4 7#b7 ,eligible ,state ,in this section1 the term eligible ,state means a ,state that permits an individual younger than #ah years of age to marry4 7#c7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph 7#a71 an eligible ,state shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7b7 ,state task force 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible ,state awarded a grant under subsection 7a77#a7 shall establish a task force to examine child marriage in the eligible ,state4 7#b7 ,appointees ,a task force established under paragraph 7#a7 shall include individuals with-- 7,a7 advocacy expertise in combating family violence1 sexual assault1 human trafficking1 or child abuse or neglect issues2 7,b7 experience in social work or school counseling1 with preference for such individuals with experience providing culturally specific services2 7,c7 experience in providing legal assistance to survivors of family violence1 sexual assault1 or human trafficking1 with a preference for such individuals with experience serving such survivors who are younger than #ah years of age2 7,d7 experience in providing legal assistance to individuals with needs for child protection services1 including foster youth1 homeless and runaway youth1 and youth otherwise at-risk for needing such services2 7,e7 judicial experience with cases involving child protection and family violence issues2 7,f7 legal experience with cases involving emancipation1 guardianship1 or child-specific protection orders1 with special preference for such individuals who have worked on cases involving forced or coerced marriage2 or 7,g7 professional medical or mental health experience4 7#c7 ,tasks ,a task force established under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 collect ,statewide statistics for each of the #aj years preceding the date of the grant award on the number1 age1 gender1 and residency of individuals in the eligible ,state who were younger than #ah years of age at the time of the marriage of such individual2 7,b7 examine the risk factors that lead to child marriage and negative impacts from child marriage in the eligible ,state1 including the relationship between child marriage and threats to a minor's safety1 health1 and well-being1 and including risk factors and impacts such as forced or coerced marriage1 family violence1 sexual assault1 child abuse and neglect1 human trafficking1 educational impacts1 poverty1 and other negative impacts on individuals who are younger than #ah years of age who marry2 7,c7 examine whether marriages that include an individual younger than #ah years of age should be prohibited in the eligible ,state2 7,d7 develop policy recommendations for the eligible ,state to address negative impacts of child marriage on individuals and the intersection between child marriage and forced or coerced marriage1 family violence1 sexual assault1 child abuse and neglect1 and human trafficking2 and 7,e7 prepare a report with the recommendations of the task force1 including on protecting individuals who are younger than #ah years of age from the negative impacts of child marriage and forced or coerced marriages and enabling already-married individuals who are younger than #ah years of age to protect themselves from abuse4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #cge1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjcb4 4 #g4 ,state incentives to eliminate child marriage 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the term covered formula grant means a grant under-- 7#a7 part ,t of title ,i of the ,omnibus ,crime ,control and ,safe ,streets ,act of #aifh 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #ajdda et seq47 7commonly referred to as the ,,stop ,violence ,against ,women ,formula ,grant ,program72 or 7#b7 section #dafja of the ,violence ,against ,women ,act of #aiid 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #abeaa7 7commonly referred to as the ,sexual ,assault ,services ,program74 7b7 ,increased funding for formula grants authorized ,the ,attorney ,general shall increase the amount provided to a ,state under the covered formula grants in accordance with this section if the ,state has in place a law that prohibits marriage for individuals who have not attained #ah years of age or1 if more than #ah years of age1 the age of majority for the ,state4 7c7 ,application ,a ,state seeking an increase in the amount provided to the ,state under the covered formula grants shall include in the application of the ,state for each covered formula grant such information as the ,attorney ,general may reasonably require1 including information about the law described in subsection 7b74 7d7 ,grant increase ,the amount of the increase provided to a ,state under the covered formula grants under this section shall be equal to not more than #aj percent of the average of the total amount of funding provided to the ,state under the covered formula grants under the #c most recent awards to the ,state4 7e7 ,period of increase 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general shall provide an increase in the amount provided to a ,state under the covered formula grants under this section for a #b-year period4 7#b7 ,limit ,the ,attorney ,general may not provide an increase in the amount provided to a ,state under the covered formula grants under this section more than #d times4 7f7 ,allocation of increased formula grant funds ,the ,attorney ,general shall allocate an increase in the amount provided to a ,state under the covered formula grants under this section such that-- 7#a7 #be percent the amount of the increase is provided under the program described in subsection 7a77#a72 and 7#b7 #ge percent the amount of the increase is provided under the program described in subsection 7a77#b74 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,if the ,national ,commission to ,combat ,child ,marriage in the ,united ,states submits the interim report required under section #d7;g77#a71 there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjcb4 #h4 ,federal limitations on child marriage ,no property that is on any land or in any building owned by1 leased to1 or otherwise used by or under the control of the ,federal ,government may be used to facilitate a marriage unless both of the individuals marrying are at least #ah years of age at the time of the marriage4 #i4 ,department of ,justice efforts to address child marriage 7a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general shall establish a working group which shall1 not later than #ahj days after the date on which the ,national ,commission to ,combat ,child ,marriage in the ,united ,states issues the final report required under section #d7;g77#c71 promulgate a model ,state statute that prohibits child marriage by requiring a person to be at least #ah years of age or1 for a ,state with an age of majority that is older than #ah years of age1 the age of majority in the ,state1 at the time of marriage4 7b7 ,composition of the working group ,the working group established under subsection 7a7 shall be composed of #h members1 of whom at least #a member shall be from the following components of the ,department of ,justice3 7#a7 ,the ,office of ,legal ,policy4 7#b7 ,the ,office of ,legislative ,affairs4 7#c7 ,the ,child ,exploitation and ,obscenity ,section of the ,criminal ,division4 7#d7 ,the ,human ,rights and ,special ,prosecutions ,section of the ,criminal ,division4 7#e7 ,the ,human ,trafficking ,prosecution ,unit of the ,civil ,rights ,division4 7#f7 ,the ,office of ,violence ,against ,women4 #aj4 ,modifications to immigration provisions relating to marriage 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,in general ,except as otherwise specifically provided1 any term used in this section that is used in the immigration laws shall have the meaning given the term in the immigration laws4 7#b7 ,immigration laws ,the term immigration laws has the meaning given the term in section #aja7;a77#ag7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ag774 7b7 ,modifications to immigration provisions relating to marriage 7#a7 ,definition of noncitizen ,section #aja7;a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ec7 ,the term noncitizen means any person who is not a citizen or national of the ,united ,states4 4 7#b7 ,classifications relating to visas for noncitizen fiancs and spouses 7,a7 ,k visas ,section #aja7;a77#ae77,k7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ae77,k77 is amended to read as follows3 7,k7 subject to subsections 7d7 and 7r7 of section #bad1 a noncitizen-- 7i7 7,i7 who is the fiance or fianc of a citizen of the ,united ,states 7other than a citizen described in section #bjd7;a77#a77;,a77viii77,i77 who is at least #ah years of age2 and 7,,ii7 who-- 7aa7 seeks to enter the ,united ,states solely to conclude a valid marriage with the petitioner within ninety days after admission2 and 7bb7 is at least #ah years of age2 7ii7 7,i7 who has concluded a valid marriage with a citizen of the ,united ,states who is the petitioner who is at least #ah years of age and was at least #ah years of age on the date of the marriage 7other than a citizen described in section #bjd7;a77#a77;,a77viii77,i772 and 7,,ii7 who-- 7aa7 is the beneficiary of a petition to accord a status under section #bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 that was filed under section #bjd by the petitioner2 7bb7 seeks to enter the ,united ,states to await the approval of such petition and the availability to the noncitizen of an immigrant visa2 and 7cc7 is at least #ah years of age1 or is at least #af years of age and is granted a waiver of such age requirement based on a compelling humanitarian reason for the issuance of a visa1 arising from a risk of individualized and targeted harm to such noncitizen1 and which shall not include parental consent1 a child in common with the petitioner1 pregnancy1 or any combination thereof2 or 7iii7 who is the minor child of a noncitizen described in clause 7i7 or 7ii7 and is accompanying1 or following to join1 the noncitizen4 4 7,b7 ,immediate relatives ,section #bja7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaea7;b77#b77;,a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 ,for purposes of this subparagraph1 a noncitizen spouse may only be considered the immediate relative of a ,united ,states citizen spouse if-- 7,i7 the ,united ,states citizen spouse is at least #ah years of age and was at least #ah years of age at the time of marriage2 and 7,,ii7 the noncitizen spouse is-- 7aa7 at least #ah years of age2 or 7bb7 at least #af years of age and has been granted a waiver of the age requirement under item 7aa7 based on a compelling humanitarian reason for the issuance of a visa1 arising from a risk of individualized and targeted harm to the noncitizen seeking a visa1 and which shall not include parental consent1 a child in common with the petitioner1 pregnancy1 or any combination thereof4 4 7,c7 ,spouses of lawful permanent residents ,section #bjc7;a77#b7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;a77#b77 is amended by striking subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 and inserting the following3 7,a7 who-- 7i7 are the spouses of noncitizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence aged #ah years or older and who were at least #ah years of age at the time of marriage2 and 7ii7 7,i7 are at least #ah years of age2 or 7,,ii7 are at least #af years of age and have been granted a waiver of the age requirement under subclause 7,i7 based on a compelling humanitarian reason for the issuance of a visa1 arising from a risk of individualized and targeted harm to the noncitizen seeking a visa1 and which shall not include parental consent1 a child in common with the petitioner1 pregnancy1 or any combination thereof2 7,b7 who are the children of noncitizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence2 or 7,c7 who are the unmarried sons or unmarried daughters 7but are not the children7 of noncitizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence1 4 7#c7 ,rule of construction ,the amendments made by this subsection may not be construed to preclude1 limit1 or modify eligibility of any noncitizen spouse subjected to battery or extreme cruelty and otherwise eligible for relief as a ,,vawa self-petitioner 7as defined in section #aja7;a77#ea7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ea7771 or any battered spouse 7within the meaning of section #bdj;,a7b77#b7 of that ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abbi;b7b77#b7771 for any available relief under the immigrations laws without regard to either spouse's age at time of marriage4 7#d7 ,applicability ,the amendments made by this subsection shall only apply to petitions or applications for any status or benefit under the immigration laws that are filed or otherwise submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,proxy marriage ,section #aja7;a77#ce7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ce77 is amended by striking marriage shall have been consummated and inserting parties have met in person during the #b-year period immediately preceding the date of the ceremony4 7d7 ,public education on changes to immigration law 7#a7 ,in general ,beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security and the ,secretary of ,state1 in coordination with the head of any other appropriate ,federal agency1 shall immediately1 and on an ongoing basis1 provide educational materials and information to the public1 in multiple languages1 on the amendments made by this section and the changes to immigration law made by such amendments4 7#b7 ,elements ,at a minimum1 the educational materials and information provided under paragraph 7#a7 shall be-- 7,a7 made available in multiple languages on the internet website of ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 including-- 7i7 on the ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services homepage2 and 7ii7 at https3_/_/www4uscis4gov_/humanitarian_/f orced-marriage2 7,b7 on view in public areas of the offices of ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services in ,english and the #a or more primary languages of the country in which the office is located1 as applicable2 7,c7 presented through ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services community forums with immigrant communities in the ,united ,states2 7,d7 provided to all registered immigration legal services providers in the ,united ,states for distribution to the community2 7,e7 made available on all relevant pages of the internet website of the ,department of ,state2 7,f7 on view at ,united ,states embassies and consulates1 in ,english and the #a or more primary languages of the applicable country2 and 7,g7 incorporated into video advisories on immigration requirements shown at ,united ,states embassies1 consulates1 and ports of entry4 7e7 ,promotion of information on child marriage 7#a7 ,in general ,beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 and the ,attorney ,general1 in coordination with the head of any other appropriate ,federal agency1 shall immediately1 and on an ongoing basis1 promote information on-- 7,a7 the harmful impacts of child marriage described in section #b2 and 7,b7 the governmental and nongovernmental resources an individual may contact to receive support services relating to such impacts4 7#b7 ,elements ,at a minimum1 the information provided under paragraph 7#a7 shall be-- 7,a7 made available in multiple languages on the internet website of ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services2 7,b7 presented through ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services community forums with immigrant communities in the ,united ,states2 7,c7 incorporated into video advisories on immigration requirements shown at ,united ,states embassies1 consulates1 and ports of entry2 7,d7 provided to all registered immigration legal services providers and refugee resettlement agencies in the ,united ,states or distribution to the community2 and 7,e7 made available on all relevant pages of the internet website of the ,department of ,state4 7f7 ,updates to immigration forms ,the instructions for ,form ,i-#acj 7,petition for ,alien ,relatives7 and ,form ,i-#abi;,f 7,petition for ,alien ,fiance7e77 shall be updated to reflect the amendments made by this section and the modifications to the immigration laws made by such amendments4 7g7 ,public education 7#a7 ,in general ,beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,federal ,government shall immediately1 and on an ongoing basis1 provide educational materials and information to the public1 in multiple languages1 on the amendments made by this section and the changes to immigration law made by such amendments4 7#b7 ,elements ,at a minimum1 the educational materials and information provided under paragraph 7#a7 shall be-- 7,a7 made available on the internet website of ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 including-- 7i7 on the ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services homepage2 and 7ii7 at https3_/_/www4uscis4gov_/humanitarian_/f orced-marriage2 7,b7 on view in publicly accessible areas of the offices of ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services2 7,c7 presented through ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services community forums with immigrant communities in the ,united ,states2 7,d7 provided to all registered immigration legal services providers in the ,united ,states for distribution to the community2 7,e7 made available on the internet website of the ,department of ,state1 including at-- 7i7 https3_/_/travel4state4gov_/content_/tra vel4html2 7ii7 https3_/_/travel4state4gov_/content_/tra vel_/en_/us-visas4html2 and 7iii7 https3_/_/travel4state4gov_/content_/tra vel_/en_/international-travel_/emergenci es_/forced-marriage4html2 7,f7 on view at ,united ,states embassies and consulates1 in ,english and the #a or more primary languages of the applicable country2 7,g7 incorporated into video advisories on immigration requirements shown at ,united ,states embassies1 consulates1 and ports of entry2 and 7,h7 included in the advisory pamphlet required under section #hcc of the ,international ,marriage ,broker ,regulation ,act of #bjje 7,public ,law #aji-afb2 #aai ,stat4 #cjfh7 entitled ,information on the ,legal ,rights ,available to ,immigrant ,victims of ,domestic ,violence in the ,united ,states and ,facts about ,immigrating on a ,marriage-,based ,visa1 which is distributed directly to applicants for family-based immigration petitions at all consular and adjustment interviews for marriage-based visas4 7h7 ,distribution of ,department of ,homeland ,security gender-,based violence pamphlet 7,,gbv pamphlet7 ,the gender-based violence pamphlet developed by the ,department of ,homeland ,security as part of the ,blue ,campaign 7referred to in this subsection as the ,,gbv pamphlet7 shall be made available and distributed as follows3 7#a7 ,inclusion in immigration forms ,the instructions for ,form ,i-#acj 7,petition for ,alien ,relatives7 and ,form ,i-#abi;,f 7,petition for ,alien ,fianc7e77 shall include-- 7,a7 the ,,gbv pamphlet in its entirety1 in ,english1 under the following section heading3 ,the pamphlet below describes what gender-based violence 7,,gbv7 is1 who is affected by ,,gbv1 and how and where to seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing any form of ,,gbv4 ,these materials are also available in ,arabic1 ,bengali1 ,chinese 7,traditional71 ,french1 ,hindi1 ,portuguese1 ,russian1 ,somali1 ,spanish1 and ,urdu42 and 7,b7 within the section heading preceding the ,,gbv pamphlet described in subparagraph 7,a71 a link to the ,blue ,campaign ,,gbv pamphlet landing page1 https3_/_/www4dhs4gov_/blue-campaign_/pu blication_/gender-based-pamphlets-and-fl yers4 7#b7 ,mailing to petitioner and beneficiary 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,director of ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services shall mail the ,,gbv pamphlet to each petitioner and beneficiary of a ,k nonimmigrant visa pursuant to section #aja7;a77#ae77,k7 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ae77,k77 upon receipt of an application for such a visa4 7,b7 ,language ,each ,,gbv pamphlet mailed under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be the version in the primary language of the petitioner and the primary language of the beneficiary1 or in ,english if a translation into such language is unavailable4 7#c7 ,posting on ,national ,visa ,center website ,the ,secretary of ,state shall post the ,,gbv pamphlet on the internet website of-- 7,a7 the ,national ,visa ,center2 and 7,b7 each consular post that processes ,k nonimmigrant visa applications4 7#d7 ,consular interviews 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state shall ensure that the ,,gbv pamphlet is distributed directly to ,k nonimmigrant visa applicants at all consular interviews for such visas4 7,b7 ,language ,if a written translation of the ,,gbv pamphlet is unavailable in an applicant's primary language1 the consular officer conducting the visa interview shall-- 7i7 review the contents of pamphlet with the applicant orally in the applicant's primary language2 and 7ii7 distribute the pamphlet to the applicant in ,english4 7#e7 ,display and availability at embassies and consulates ,the ,secretary of ,state shall ensure that the ,,gbv pamphlet-- 7,a7 is displayed at each ,united ,states embassy and consulate2 and 7,b7 made available in ,english and1 if available1 the primary language of the location of the embassy or consulate4 7#f7 ,display and availability at ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services offices ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall ensure that the ,,gbv pamphlet is displayed and made available in ,english at each ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services office at which applicant interviews for ,k nonimmigrant visas are conducted4