Section 2-404.1 - Premarital preparation course. - Maryland Statutes

§ 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. 
 

[2001, ch. 635.]