TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With the end of the latest Legislative session, some noteworthy bills have now perished — including one that would have prohibited people from marrying their cousins.
That bill — HB 733 — was first filed back in December by state Rep. Anne Gerwig (R-Greenacres), though it deals with a lot more than just marriage.
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In fact, the bill aimed for a variety of changes involving the Department of Health and Florida’s healthcare workforce. Those rules include the following:
- Revises the definition of “low-THC cannabis” to include all forms of cannabis products, except edibles
- Requires the FDOH to develop an educational pamphlet on neonate nutrition for parents
- Extends degree deadline dates for marriage and family therapist licensure requirements
- Allows licensed dental hygienists to use dental diode lasers under the direct supervision of a dentist
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However, a smaller provision included in the bill sought to prohibit marriage between first cousins. The specific text included in the bill is as follows:
“A man may not marry any woman who is a lineal descendant of his grandparent. A woman may not marry any man who is a lineal descendant of her grandparent. Marriages included in this subsection entered into after July 1, 2026, are not recognized for any purpose in this state.”
HB 733 (2026)
Current law already prohibits incestuous marriages, such as those between siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, and grandparents. HB 733 would have simply added first cousins to that list.
While the bill was unanimously approved by the state Senate last week, it died after returning back to the House.