Caroline Upthegrove (ORU)
Emancipation is a tricky subject debated nationwide. Emancipation is the act that legally frees a minor from their dependent. OU 501, a bill written by Rep. Ailey, changes the wording from under 18 to a minor over 15 years. The bill allows a minor to declare emancipation from their parents without permission from the court.
The bill allows the emancipated minor to full financial privileges such as renting an apartment or suing. OU 501 would help a minor quickly escape an unhealthy situation at home. Additionally, the bill allows more financial freedom for minors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 14 is the legal work age for a minor. The situation where an emancipated minor could support themselves is a possibility.
The House proposed an amendment to the bill that scratched out the age limit of fifteen and replaced it with any age. Therefore, a 13 with a trust fund could break off on their own if they desired. The House turned down the amendment. Ailey believes that fifteen is the ideal age for self-proclaimed emancipation.
“The reason why I chose 15 is because at 15, you can get a worker’s permit,” Ailey explained.
Ailey believes that 14-year-olds can comprehend adult themes, but another year makes a difference in the adult world. Most of the time, at 15, an individual is in their first or second year of high school. However, there are arguments for court-decided emancipation. Court-decided emancipation is better in the eyes of the state legally. Also, organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) evaluate and decide if a home is fit to care for a minor. The bill passed in the House and the House deemed 15 as the age where an individual is mentally fit to proclaim emancipation.