HF 142 (LSB 1922YH (2) 86)

HOUSE FILE 142

BY  FRY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to a reduction in the application fee for a license to marry based upon the completion of premarital counseling.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 331.605, subsection 1, paragraph g, Code 2015, is amended to read as follows:
   g.  (1)  For Except as provided in subparagraph (2), for filing an application for the license to marry, thirty-five dollars, which includes payment for one certified copy of the original certificate of marriage, to be issued following filing of the original certificate of marriage, four dollars of which shall be retained by the county pursuant to paragraph “f”.
   (2)  For filing an application for a license to marry, five dollars, if the applicants submit and the county registrar approves the certificate of completion of premarital counseling pursuant to section 595.3B, which includes payment for one certified copy of the original certificate of marriage, to be issued following filing of the original certificate of marriage, four dollars of which shall be retained by the county pursuant to paragraph “f”.
   (3)  For issuing an application for an order of the district court authorizing the validation of a license to marry before the expiration of three days from the date of issuance of the license, five dollars. The district court shall authorize the early validation of a marriage license without the payment of any fees imposed in this paragraph upon showing that the applicant is unable to pay the fees.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  595.3B  Application —— premarital counseling.
   1.  An application form for a marriage license shall have attached a certificate form to be used by the parties to document completion of premarital counseling by the parties. The certificate shall be completed by the parties and signed by the person who provided the premarital counseling. The certificate shall require provision of all of the following information:
   a.  The name of the person providing the premarital counseling and the person’s signature verifying completion of the premarital counseling by the parties.
   b.  The number of hours of premarital counseling completed.
   c.  Whether the premarital counseling was provided through individual instruction or a premarital course, and whether the counseling was provided in-person, via electronic media, or through a combination of these methods.
   2.  Only premarital counseling provided by the following persons meets the requirement of provision of premarital counseling under this section:
   a.  A person ordained or designated as a leader of a party’s religious faith or the person’s designee.
   b.  A person licensed to practice psychology pursuant to chapter 154B or licensed to practice psychology in any other state.
   c.  A person licensed to practice social work pursuant to chapter 154C or licensed to practice social work in any other state.
   d.  A person licensed to practice marital and family therapy pursuant to chapter 154D or licensed to practice marital and family therapy in any other state.
   3.  If the parties applying for a license to marry complete the premarital counseling certificate and the certificate is approved, the parties shall pay the license fee of five dollars pursuant to section 331.605.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to marriage license conditions and fees. The bill reduces the marriage license fee for parties who have completed premarital counseling from $35 to $5.
   The bill provides that the application form for a marriage license is to have attached a certificate form to be used by the parties to document completion of premarital counseling. The certificate is to be completed by the parties and signed by the person who provided the premarital counseling. The bill specifies the information to be included on the certificate and specifies the persons who meet the requirements to provide premarital education.