(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:

(i)    conflict management;

(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.