State senator seeks to overturn law allowing children to marry in Alaska

In Alaska, a 14-year-old can legally get married.

Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, has a problem with that and thinks other Alaskans do, too. On Thursday, Gardner announced plans to introduce legislation that increases the age limit to 18, except for emancipated minors 16 or older.

Gardner’s announcement came as lawmakers begin the legislative preseason, a week of prefiled bills and preparation for the Jan. 16 start of the legislative session.

“The child marriage issue really applies to very few young people, very few young children, but for those children, it could be a lifesaver,” said Gardner, a Democrat who represents the University and Spenard neighborhoods.

Read more: http://juneauempire.com/news/state/alaska-legislature/2018-01-05/state-senator-seeks-overturn-law-allowing-children-marry