HB 729 Summary

• Raises the minimum age to marry in Hawaii from 16 to 18 years old, eliminating the exception that allowed 15-year-olds to marry with family court approval.

• Removes parental and guardian authority to consent to a minor's marriage and eliminates marriage as grounds for automatic emancipation of minors.

• Repeals exemptions in sexual assault laws that previously allowed married couples to avoid prosecution, ensuring perpetrators cannot escape charges by being married to their 14-16 year old victims.

• Requires proof of age for all marriage license applicants and removes spousal cohabitation as grounds to void an annulment based on age.

• Effective date of July 1, 3000 (note: this appears to be a placeholder date in the legislative text).