§ 2-404.1. Premarital preparation course

   (a) Marriage license fee discount. --

   (1) A county may discount a marriage license fee under § 2-404(a) of this subtitle if the couple to be married has completed, within 1 year before the date of the application for the license, a premarital preparation course that meets the requirements specified in this section.

   (2) The amount of any discount shall be determined by the county governing body.

(b) Course description. -- A premarital preparation course shall:

   (1) include instruction regarding:

      (i) conflict management;

      (ii) communication skills;

      (iii) financial responsibilities; and

      (iv) children and parenting responsibilities; and

   (2) consist of at least 4 hours of instruction.

(c) Authorized instructors. -- A premarital preparation course may be conducted by:

   (1) a clinical professional counselor or a clinical marriage and family therapist licensed under Title 17, Subtitle 3A of the Health Occupations Article;

   (2) a psychologist licensed under Title 18 of the Health Occupations Article;

   (3) a social worker licensed under Title 19 of the Health Occupations Article;

   (4) an official representative of a religious institution if the representative has relevant training; or

   (5) any other qualified provider approved by a county governing body.

(d) Instructor registration affidavit. --

   (1) A premarital preparation course provider shall register with the clerk by filing a written affidavit containing:

      (i) the provider's name, address, and telephone number;

      (ii) a summary of the provider's qualifications and training; and

      (iii) a statement that the provider shall comply with the course requirements specified in this section.

   (2) The clerk may establish a roster of area premarital preparation course providers, including those who offer the course on a sliding fee scale or for free.

(e) Certificate of completion. --

   (1) A premarital preparation course provider shall provide to each couple who completes the course a certificate of completion that specifies:

      (i) the names of the couple;

      (ii) the name of the provider; and

      (iii) the date of completion of the course.

   (2) To receive a discounted marriage license fee under this section, an applicant for a license shall verify completion of a premarital preparation course by filing with the clerk a valid certificate of course completion issued in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(f) Cost. -- Any cost for a premarital preparation course shall be paid by the applicant for a marriage license.

(g) Domestic violence programs. -- The discount authorized by this section may not be applied to any fee used to fund domestic violence programs.

HISTORY: 2001, ch. 635.