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.

“Why do we need to allow underage marriages to happen?” Ugenti-Rita asked. “What is the public benefit to that?”

Legislator: Don’t allow children to marry – Arizona Capitol Times