|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor
|
|
H.B. 57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The lack of specificity in House Bill 57 is concerning. Government can have a role in
helping to preserve families, and prepare individuals for family life. If government
chooses to do so, however, it must proceed in a manner that provides options to the
individuals involved, and must respect the decision of the applicants to select a
religious or secular counselor, provided that the counselor is qualified to perform the
service. While the intent of House Bill 57 may be to provide options to the applicants,
and lacks specific details in order to maximize options, I believe the bill leaves too
much discretion to local officials to recognize, or fail to recognize, courses for selective
reasons. Florida's law demonstrates that it is possible to craft legislation on this topic
that provides clear direction and builds upon existing regulatory and religious
structures, while preserving the options and respecting the rights of participants in
the courses. House Bill 57 does not strike this balance.
Although the bill offers only a small monetary incentive to promote premarriage
education, it is well-intentioned. Efforts small and large are necessary to help
individuals better prepare to function in a family setting. I am concerned that the bill,
as drafted and passed, is silent in too many areas, and may have the unintended
effect of limiting the options available to some marriage license applicants in Anne
Arundel County. The incentive should apply broadly and encourage many people to
participate in this type of course. The law, however, should be sufficiently specific to
inform individuals of the acceptable courses, and preserve options for individuals who
want to receive quality premarriage education.
For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill 57.
Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor
House Bill No. 57
AN ACT concerning
Anne Arundel County - Marriage License Fee - Premarriage Education
FOR the purpose of reducing the marriage license fee in Anne Arundel County for
couples who have completed a premarriage education course within a certain
time period before applying for a license; providing for disposition of the fee;
requiring the Anne Arundel County Health Department to compile and provide
to the clerk of the circuit court a list of premarriage education courses in the
county and adjacent counties; requiring the clerk to make the list available to
marriage license applicants; defining a certain term; and generally relating to
marriage license fees in Anne Arundel County.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Family Law
Section 2-404(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1999 Replacement Volume and 1999 Supplement)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 4249 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
