REMARITAL EDUCATION NOTIFICATION

ON MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

House Bill 5473

Sponsor:  Rep. Lisa Wojno

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 3-29-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5473 AS INTRODUCED 2-5-04

The bill would amend Public Act 128 of 1887, which establishes age and license requirements for marriage, to require notification on the marriage certificate whether both parties received premarital education. 

Under the bill, a county clerk could not issue a marriage license to an individual unless he or she signed and filed an application for a marriage license that included a statement with a check-off box indicating that both parties either had or had not received premarital education.  The cleric or magistrate who officiated at the marriage would have to fill in the appropriate space on the certificate indicating whether the parties had or had not received premarital education.  The bill would also make numerous editorial changes to update language in the act.

“Premarital education” would mean a program that emphasized skill-building strategies and included, at a minimum, conflict management, communication skills, financial matters, and, if the couple had or intended to have children, child and parenting responsibilities.  Such a program would have to be at least four hours in duration and be conducted by one or more of the following:

·                    A licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed or limited licensed psychologist, or certified social worker or social worker licensed or registered under the Public Health Code.

·                    A psychiatrist as defined in the Mental Health Code.

·                    An official representative of a religious institution or his or her designee.

MCL 551.103 and 551.504

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   S. Stutzky

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.