By Robin Burchfield
March 1, 2001

(AgapePress) - A Maryland lawmaker has introduced legislation that would give incentives to couples who go through premarital counseling.

Republican John R. Leopold is sponsoring a bill that would provide a discount on marriage licenses for those who take part in a premarital counseling course before they marry. The bill passed in the House 104-24.

According to the Washington Post, Leopold’s bill was vetoed last year by Democratic Maryland Governor Paris Glendening.

Glendening said it needed more details about who would teach the courses. So, Leopold revised the legislation to assign such courses to social workers, psychologists and specially-trained religious leaders.

Leopold says, “We spend millions of dollars to pay for the effects of the wreckage of marriage, but far too little for the tools of prevention to help strengthen marriage.” Some statistics show that more than 40% of American marriages end in divorce.

Other states are also working to reduce their divorce rates. Legislation has been introduced in New Mexico that would give people who complete premarital preparation courses a $100 tax credit. And in 1998, Florida enacted a law similar to the one introduced in Maryland.

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