LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Beebe said yesterday that there is no “imminent crisis” that would require a special legislative session to fix an error in a new law that allows Arkansans of any age — even toddlers — to marry with parental consent.

Mr. Beebe said he could call a special session if legislative leaders push for one or a court challenge arises, but he would rather avoid the expense of convening the House and Senate before the next regular session begins January 2009.

“Right now, the code is in a way that most of the clerks feel like they don’t have to issue marriage licenses to children under situations that would make them vulnerable, so at this point, I think the caution is to just stay where we are,” Mr. Beebe told reporters at the state Capitol.

The marriage age law, which took effect July 31, was intended to establish 18 as the minimum age to marry while also allowing pregnant minors to marry with parental consent. An extraneous “not” in the bill, however, allows anyone who is not pregnant to marry at any age if the parents allow it.

The bill reads: “In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage.”

Some lawmakers have asked for a special session, saying the way the law is written could invite pedophiles to Arkansas to attempt to marry children. So far, however, the main thing it has invited is ridicule.

“The Jay Lenos and those folks are going to have fun with any piece of legislation,” Mr. Beebe said, “and it just so happened we happened to be the brunt of this one.”

A code revision commission — which fixes typographical and technical errors in laws — had tried to correct the mistake, but a group of legislators said this month that the error was too serious to be considered a typo. Mr. Beebe said he thinks the commission acted appropriately.