SB 54: MARRIAGE AND PREMARITAL COUNSELING AND EDUCATION AMENDMENTS, as signed by Governor March 20, 2018
Relevant text:
(d) If a county operates an online marriage application system, the county clerk of that county:
(i) may assess $20 in addition to the other fees for a marriage license established under
this section;
(iii) may not transmit $20 from the marriage license fee to the state treasurer under this
Subsection (2)(d) if both individuals seeking the marriage license certify that they have
completed premarital counseling or education in accordance with Section 30-1-34.
30-1-30. Premarital counseling or education -- State policy -- Applicability.
It is the policy of the state [of Utah] to enhance the possibility of couples to achieve
more stable, satisfying, and enduring marital and family relationships by providing
opportunities for and encouraging the use of premarital counseling or education
before securing a marriage license
30-1-34. Completion of counseling or education.
(1) The county clerk of a county that operates an online marriage application system and
116 issues a marriage license to applicants who certify completion of premarital counseling or
117 education in accordance with Subsection (2) shall reduce the marriage license fee by $20.
118 (2) (a) To qualify for the reduced fee under Subsection (1), the applicants shall certify
119 completion of premarital counseling or education in accordance with this Subsection (2).
120 (b) To complete premarital counseling or education, the applicants:
121 (i) shall obtain the premarital counseling or education from:
122 (A) a licensed or ordained minister or the minister's designee who is trained by the
123 minister or denomination to conduct premarital counseling or education;
124 (B) an individual licensed under Title 58, Chapter 60, Mental Health Professional
125 Practice Act;
126 (C) an individual certified by a national organization recognized by the Utah Marriage
127 Commission, created in Section 62A-1-120, as a family life educator;
128 (D) a family and consumer sciences educator;
129 (E) an individual who is an instructor approved by a premarital education curriculum
130 that meets the requirements of Subsection (2)(b)(ii); or
131 (F) an online course approved by the Utah Marriage Commission;
132 (ii) shall receive premarital counseling or education that includes information on
133 important factors associated with strong and healthy marriages, including:
134 (A) commitment in marriage; and
135 (B) effective communication and problem-solving skills, including avoiding violence
136 and abuse in the relationship;
137 (iii) shall complete at least three hours of premarital counseling or six hours of
138 premarital education meeting the requirements of this Subsection (2); and
139 (iv) shall complete the premarital counseling or education meeting the requirements of
140 this Subsection (2) not more than one year before but at least 14 days before the day on which
141 the marriage license is issued.
142 (c) Although applicants are encouraged to take the premarital counseling or education
143 together, each applicant may comply with the requirements of this Subsection (2) separately.
144 (3) A provider of premarital counseling or education under this section is encouraged
145 to use research-based relationship inventories.
147 30-1-36. Activities included in premarital counseling or education.
148 (1) Premarital counseling may include
149 group counseling, individual counseling, and couple counseling.
150 (2) Premarital education may include:
151 (a) a lecture, class, seminar, or workshop provided by a person that meets the
152 requirements of Subsection 30-1-34(2)(b)(i); or
153 (b) an online course approved by the Utah Marriage Commission as provided in
154 Subsection 30-1-34(2)(b)(i)(F).
155 Section 5. Section 62A-1-120 is amended to read:
156 62A-1-120. Utah Marriage Commission.
157 (1) As used in this section, "commission" means the Utah Marriage Commission
158 created by this section.
159 (2) There is created within the department the "Utah Marriage Commission."
160 (3) The commission shall consist of 17 members appointed as follows:
161 (a) two members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate;
162 (b) two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
163 House of Representatives;
164 (c) six current or former representatives from marriage and family studies departments,
165 social or behavioral sciences departments, health sciences departments, colleges of law, or
166 other related and supporting departments at institutions of higher education in this state, as
167 shall be appointed by the governor;
168 (d) five representatives selected and appointed by the governor from among the
169 following groups:
170 (i) social workers who are or have been licensed under Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 2,
171 Social Worker Licensing Act;
172 (ii) psychologists who are or have been licensed under Title 58, Chapter 61,
173 Psychologist Licensing Act;
174 (iii) physicians who are or have been board certified in psychiatry and are or have been
175 licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act;
176 (iv) marriage and family therapists who are or have been licensed under Title 58,
177 Chapter 60, Part 3, Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing Act;
178 (v) representatives of faith communities;
179 (vi) public health professionals;
180 (vii) representatives of domestic violence prevention organizations; or
181 (viii) legal professionals; and
182 (e) two representatives of the general public appointed by the members of the
183 commission appointed under Subsections (3)(a) through (d).
. . .
207 (7) The department shall staff the commission.
208 (8) The commission shall:
209 (a) promote coalitions and collaborative efforts to uphold and encourage a strong and
210 healthy culture of strong and lasting marriages and stable families;
211 (b) contribute to greater awareness of the importance of marriage and leading to
212 reduced divorce and unwed parenthood in the state;
213 (c) promote public policies that support marriage;
214 (d) promote programs and activities that educate individuals and couples on how to
215 achieve strong, successful, and lasting marriages, including promoting and assisting in the
216 offering of:
217 (i) events;
218 (ii) classes and services, including those designed to promote strong, healthy, and
219 lasting marriages and prevent domestic violence;
220 (iii) marriage and relationship education conferences for the public and professionals;
221 and
222 (iv) enrichment seminars;
223 (e) actively promote measures designed to maintain and strengthen marriage, family,
224 and the relationships between [husband and wife] spouses and parents and children;
225 (f) support volunteerism and private financial contributions and grants in partnership
226 with the commission and in support of the commission's purposes and activities for the benefit
227 of the state as provided in this section[.];
228 (g) regularly publicize information on premarital counseling and education services
229 available in the state that comply with Section 30-1-34;
230 (h) approve an online course meeting the requirements of Section 30-1-34; and
231 (i) for purposes of Section 30-1-34, recognize one or more national organizations that
232 certify family life educators.
Full text and legislative history
Comments