A new bill introduced during Florida’s latest Legislative session sparked major headlines earlier this year after it failed to get approval from lawmakers.

And it also sparked an unusual question for many: is it legal to marry your cousin in Florida?

The 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.

In fact, the bill aimed for a variety of changes involving the Department of Health and Florida’s healthcare workforce.

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.

But while the full bill was unanimously approved by the state Senate back in March, it ultimately died after returning to the House.

Lawmakers have already begun filing bills for the next Legislative session, though it remains to be seen whether this proposal will be considered again.

Which states still allow first cousins to marry?

So far, more than 20 states have blanket bans on first-cousin marriage.

According to The U.S. Sun, Florida remains among 16 states that have no restrictions on first-cousin marriage. They 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)