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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – In a recent legislative session, an attempt to put a stop to first cousin marriages in Florida hit a roadblock as the proposed bill was rejected by the Florida Senate.
The bill, known as HB-733, aimed to redefine what constitutes an “incestuous marriage” in the state, with the intention of making such unions unrecognized from July 1, 2026, onward. The legislation specifically outlined prohibitions against marriages between individuals closely related by blood, including those between a man and his sister, aunt, or niece, and similarly restricting a woman from marrying her brother, uncle, or nephew.
Despite this setback, State Representative Dean Black remains hopeful. In conversation with Florida’s Action News Jax, Black expressed anticipation for a renewed effort to tackle this subject in future legislative discussions.
“With so many people in the world, it’s unnecessary to narrow your search for a life partner to your first cousin,” Black remarked, underscoring the importance of broader social connections when seeking a spouse.
“There are plenty of people here, and there are plenty of people you can find to be your lifelong partner without looking to your first cousin,” Black said.
Florida is one of more than a dozen states where marrying your first cousin is legal, but most of the United States has banned such marriages.