Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, couldn't get his proposal for a marriage preparation course and additional marriage license fee out of its final House stop last session, so the married father of six is trying again.
This time, he's drafting legislation that doesn't call for an extra $100 marriage license fee. But like last year's proposal, it would add a "premarital inventory" to the marriage preparation course couples can take in exchange for a discount on their marriage license fee. The draft also would establish a "Marriage Education Committee" of marriage and family "advocates" appointed by the governor, House speaker and Senate president.
The inventory would consist of a survey or questionnaire that evaluates and scores couples based on their answers to topics covering communication, "personality types," marriage expectations, parenting and "family of origin."
The bill also would have the Marriage Education Committee and Florida Bar collaborate on a handbook that covers marriage law and "skills to help couples have a healthy and successful marriage."
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