A bill raising Utah's marriage age from 14 to 16 may be proposed once more during the 1999 Legislature. That is good news. Unlike its deceased forerunner, which didn't hit the Senate floor until the last day of the 1998 session, this measure should be brought to the fore early and passed with bipartisan backing.

It is hard to imagine any situation where marriage is in the best interest of any 14- or 15-year-old child. Statistics show younger brides and grooms have significantly less chance of long-term marriage success than their older counterparts. Social costs of such breakups are significant.Many youths have not had their first prom date by age 15, and none of them has legally driven. Yet the state now says they can be entrusted with marriage and parenting responsibilities. It is unrealistic and unwise to expect them to effectively manage the challenges of running a household. They are simply too young.

Of greatest concern is the marriage of young people, especially young women, to spouses who are much older. Utah is a mecca for people from other states seeking to take advantage of its liberal law allowing marriage below age 16.

While parental consent and judicial approval is required for nuptials involving 14- and 15-year-olds, it is naive to think the best interests of the kids are always accounted for. Parents sometimes have inappropriate motives for marrying off their children, and juvenile court judges should not have to police such events. They already have overwhelming case loads without being expected to anticipate the likelihood of a successful juvenile marriage.

The pending bill's sponsor, Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell, D-Granite, referred to a situation last year where a 15-year-old girl married a man 30 years her senior. "What is a 45-year-old man doing pursuing a 15-year-old child? The bill should have passed last year, and I want to make sure it passes this year so we protect young women and young men barely out of puberty."

That protection should be granted next session with strong support from both political parties.