Section 2-404.1 - Premarital preparation course(a)(1) A county may discount a marriage license fee under § 2-404(a) of this subtitle if the couple to be married has completed, within 1 year before the date of the application for the license, a premarital preparation course that meets the requirements specified in this section.(2) The amount of any discount shall be determined by the county governing body.(b) A premarital preparation course shall: (1) include instruction regarding: (ii) communication skills;(iii) financial responsibilities; and(iv) children and parenting responsibilities; and(2) consist of at least 4 hours of instruction.(c) A premarital preparation course may be conducted by: (1) a clinical professional counselor or a clinical marriage and family therapist licensed under Title 17, Subtitle 3A of the Health Occupations Article;(2) a psychologist licensed under Title 18 of the Health Occupations Article;(3) a social worker licensed under Title 19 of the Health Occupations Article;(4) an official representative of a religious institution if the representative has relevant training; or(5) any other qualified provider approved by a county governing body.(d)(1) A premarital preparation course provider shall register with the clerk by filing a written affidavit containing:(i) the provider's name, address, and telephone number;(ii) a summary of the provider's qualifications and training; and(iii) a statement that the provider shall comply with the course requirements specified in this section.(2) The clerk may establish a roster of area premarital preparation course providers, including those who offer the course on a sliding fee scale or for free.(e)(1) A premarital preparation course provider shall provide to each couple who completes the course a certificate of completion that specifies: (i) the names of the couple;(ii) the name of the provider; and(iii) the date of completion of the course.(2) To receive a discounted marriage license fee under this section, an applicant for a license shall verify completion of a premarital preparation course by filing with the clerk a valid certificate of course completion issued in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.(f) Any cost for a premarital preparation course shall be paid by the applicant for a marriage license.(g) The discount authorized by this section may not be applied to any fee used to fund domestic violence programs.