The new rule raises the minimum marriage age for both parties to 18, but permits 17-year-olds to marry provided specific conditions are met. They must obtain juvenile court permission and endure a 14-day waiting period. The bill's author, Republican state Sen. Ryan D'Amato, says he introduced it after meeting several young people who said they wanted to get married but were unable to do so without jeopardizing their ability to remain in their homes. The measure received strong support from conservative groups such as the National Organization for Marriage and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. It was opposed by organizations that work with youth including the Buckeye Institute, which argues that lifting the minimum marriage age will let more 16- and 17-year-olds enter into risky marriages. In addition to being allowed to marry at 17, under current law anyone under 18 can receive a marriage license as long as one parent signs off on the form. The new rule removes that requirement. It also allows any person over 17 to petition a court to waive the mandatory waiting period if they can show that doing so would not be against the best interest of the child. For example, a judge could grant a waiver if the couple was already living together when they got married. Currently, 31 other states allow minors to marry with parental consent or a judge's approval.