Below are samples of ideas that have been implemented across the nation aimed at strengthening marriage. The information is not intended to serve as an endorsement or to be interpreted as a recommendation for a particular policy, but rather to provide a foundation for ideas that may be helpful to others.
Programming, Funding, and Services
- Creation of Initiatives, Commissions or Other State Activities: Legislative instruments that authorize State efforts to support healthy marriage.
- Funding for Marriage Education: Appropriations language that allocates money to pay for the creation of marriage education efforts for free or at a reduced cost to interested couples.
- U.S. Congress, Deficit Reduction Act 2005 (PDF - 619 KB) Section 7103 of this 182-page legislation relates to healthy marriage funding and services.
- Arizona (PDF - 44 KB)
- Texas (PDF - 45 KB)
- Relationship Skills and Marriage for High School Students: Authorizes schools to teach relationship skills related to considering marriage as part of life skills curriculums or graduation requirements for secondary school students.
Pre-marital and Marriage Process
- Covenant Marriage Law: Creates an alternative to obtaining a traditional marriage license. Those selecting a covenant marriage are required to attend pre-marital counseling. A covenant marriage limits the grounds for dissolution of marriage except for extreme circumstances such as infidelity or domestic violence.
- Reduced Marriage License Fees for Participating in Marriage Education: Reduces or eliminates the fee to obtain a marriage license if a couple participates in an approved pre-marital counseling or education program. Minimum hours of participation range from 4 to 12 hours.
- Florida (PDF - 9 KB)
- Georgia note: vetoed by Governor
- Maryland (PDF - 18 KB)
- Minnesota
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Required Distribution of Marriage Handbook upon Application for Marriage License: Outlines the minimum contents and required elements for the creation of a handbook to assist newly-married couples. Set parameters for who must make and distribute the handbook.
Divorce Process
- Extended Separation Periods Prior to Granting Divorce: Establishes a minimum amount of time that a couple with children must live apart prior to granting a divorce.
- Court-Ordered Participation in Counseling or Classes Regarding Affects of Divorce: Allows courts to require couples with children to participate in relationship skills, co-parenting counseling, or classes regarding the affect of divorce on children prior to granting a divorce.
National Healthy Marriage Resource Center
10530 Rosehaven Street | Suite 400 | Fairfax VA | 22030
p 866-91-NHMRC (866-916-4672) | info@healthymarriageinfo.org
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Funding for this project was provided by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Grant: 90-FH-0001
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