Marriage-license bill advances out of panel

A bill that would reduce marriage-license fees for couples who take at least eight hours of premarital education advanced out of the House Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday.

HB08, sponsored by Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City, would invite couples to take marriage preparation training, which teaches couples considering marriage about commitment, communication, financial management skills and conflict management skills.

Taking the course would mean a $20 discount on a marriage license, under the bill.

"If more can be encouraged to participate in marriage preparation, divorces will be reduced," Alan Hawkins, a professor of home and family living at Brigham Young University, told the committee.

Divorces cost the state about $125 million annually, and 6,200 marriages are projected to end in divorce over the next five years in Utah.