Rep. Michelle Ugenti, R-Scottsdale, leads a part of the budget vote. /Photo by Evan Wyloge/Arizona Capitol Times
Can’t buy cigarettes and can’t get married
By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
Saying 18 is plenty young enough, a Scottsdale lawmaker wants to repeal existing Arizona laws that allow children of any age to get married.
The proposal by Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, would make it illegal for the clerk of superior courts in any of the state’s 15 counties to issue a marriage license to anyone younger than 18. Specifically, H2006 would undo laws that allow anyone age 16 or 17 to marry with permission of a parent.
But the measure also addresses the fact that in Arizona, there actually is no minimum age. All it takes is permission of a superior court judge.
“It’s incomprehensible to think the legislature has not established a minimum age regarding the right to marry. There are age limits for just about everything else. That said, the 18year-old age limit seems like a logical place to draw a line in the sand, but sadly, in light of the number of teenagers having children these days, I wonder if permitting these young parents to get married may have some benefits in terms of financial security of the family unit. I would be interested to see some research on this point before casting my vote to preclude marriages for people under the age of 18.”
