I am asking you to listen to the concerns raised by Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) before you cast your vote on SB562. You can find his comments from the April 6 House Civil Justice Committee meeting here on the Legislature's own website: https://tnga.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=610&clip_id=26829&meta_id=669313 .

Even if the age restriction issue is addressed by an amendment, there are many other concerns that Rep. Garrett discussed. If couples enter the kind of marriage envisaged by this bill, it is not clear how it would impact divorce, custody, inheritance, and other areas of family law, especially if they never obtain a marriage certificate.

This is risky. The age restriction issue was caught and addressed because the people were watching closely. But there could be other unintended consequences that no one has thought about yet. Please, don't allow the state to rush into a marriage scheme that could end up hurting the very people it is supposed to help. I ask you to vote NO.

Thank you for considering my views.