Maryland § 2-404.1

§ 2-404.1.

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

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