Sununu in favor of bill that would raise marriage age to 16

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu says he supports raising the age at which residents can marry in the state to 16.

Existing law allows girls to get married at 13 and boys at 14 if they have court and parental approval.

Sununu also said Wednesday in a letter to the House Children and Family Law Committee he supports a bill that would prohibit judges from authorizing marriages in cases where sex between the parties would constitute sexual assault.

He said he encourages legislation that requires clear and convincing evidence in the best interest of the minor for judicial authorization of the marriages of 16- and 17-year-olds.

Sununu said as the father of three young children, he says children don’t have the “lived experiences” to make an important lifelong decision such as marriage.