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Utah House debates marriage preparation bill as fiscal concerns force circling
Summary
Lawmakers spent much of the session debating House Bill 7, which would encourage (but not mandate) eight hours of marriage-preparation training in exchange for a waived $20 fee; an amendment to remove the fee-waiver failed, and members voted to "circle" the bill for further fiscal study.
The Utah House of Representatives spent a large portion of the floor session debating House Bill 7, a proposal by Representative Rosalind McGee that would encourage couples to take eight hours of marriage-preparation education and provide a reduction in the marriage license fee.
Representative Rosalind McGee, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the proposal is voluntary and not a state mandate: "It is not a requirement on any religious leader or his designee to follow a prescribed curriculum or to be licensed by the state." She described the measure as preventive public policy modeled on Minnesota legislation and backed by academic research, and outlined who could provide training — licensed or ordained ministers, or specifically listed licensed counseling professionals.
Opponents focused on the bill's fiscal mechanics.…
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