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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah lawmaker says that even though only a handful of 15-year-olds marry in Utah each year, they're children who aren't ready and he wants to raise the minimum age to 16.
Rep. Adam Gardiner says marriages involving 15-year-olds are "from a bygone era" and he doesn't think they're appropriate.
Utah currently allows those age 16 or 17 to marry if they have a parent or guardian's consent, and 15-year-olds may marry with permission from a parent or guardian and a juvenile court.
Gardiner is planning legislation next year that would strip out the law allowing 15-year-olds to marry and leave the rules about 16 and 17-year-olds in place — for now.
The West Jordan Republican says he doesn't like that 16 and 17-year-olds can marry but he wants to see how his legislation involving 15-year-olds fares first.
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