New York has joined a growing list of U.S. states that have restricted child marriage. But a new law leaves room for young people to wed and to face the risks that come with children becoming married.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Tuesday that prohibits all marriages before age 17. But 17-year-olds can wed if they get a judges permission, according to Human Rights Watch. Human rights advocates who helped draft the law say they were disappointed that New York failed to become the first U.S. state to raise the legal age for marriage to 18, with no exceptions. As it stands, minors are still vulnerable to many of the negative consequences linked to child marriage.

Human rights groups say that every year a girl is able to push off marriage is crucial. (Child marriage affects boys , but to a much lesser degree than it affects girls.)

Delaying marriage reduces the risks associated with the practice, which include being sexually or physically abused, suffering health problems and being forced to drop out of school. Additionally, girls younger than 18 often do not have access to protections such as domestic violence shelters.