TAMPA, Fla. – During a bill signing on Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called on state lawmakers to ban cousins from getting married in Florida.
At Monday’s news conference in Tampa, DeSantis signed HB 1471 into law, which allows the state to dub certain groups as terrorist organizations.
To uphold the rule of law, our state must operate under one legal system, the Constitution must remain the law of the land, and we must defend our institutions from those who would harm us—especially terrorist organizations that seek to infiltrate and subvert our education… pic.twitter.com/dyUHJCnBux
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 6, 2026
But while speaking about the new legislation, the governor also brought up a rather strange issue that made headlines in recent weeks.
“Florida doesn’t ban cousin marriage... That’s a hanging curveball for us to do,” he said. “We need to do that. Other states have done it. I don’t know why we wouldn’t. But obviously, that feeds in to some of the stealth jihad that we see when you’re allowing things like that.”
IS IT ACTUALLY LEGAL TO MARRY YOUR COUSIN IN FLORIDA?
Current law already prohibits incestuous marriages, such as those between siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, and grandparents.
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However, first cousins aren’t included on that list, leaving Florida among 16 states that currently have no restrictions on such marriages. Other states are as follows:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
- North Carolina (first-cousin marriages are allowed, but not double first cousins)
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR?
Back in December, a new bill — HB 733 — was filed by state Rep. Anne Gerwig (R-Greenacres), though it deals with a lot more than just marriage.
In fact, the bill aimed for a variety of changes involving the Department of Health and Florida’s healthcare workforce.
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However, a smaller provision included in the bill sought to include first cousins in the list of prohibited incestuous marriages. So far, well over 20 states already have blanket bans on these.
That said, HB 733 ultimately died after the Legislative deadline passed, despite both the House and Senate approving versions of the bill.
IS IT TOO LATE TO PASS A BILL THIS YEAR?
Lawmakers will need to return this month to pass a budget, as they failed to do so during the regular Legislative session.
Furthermore, DeSantis called for a special session on redistricting, which is set to kick off on April 20.
While no details have been shared about whether similar legislation to HB 733 will be introduced during these sessions, the window remains open for lawmakers to address the issue this year.
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