Senate Sponsors: CULLERTON. House Sponsors: BEAUBIEN-WINTERS-HULTGREN Short description: PRE-MARITAL EDUCATION PROGRAM Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that the parties to a prospective marriage shall execute a pre-marital education affidavit after they complete a pre-marital education program conducted by a behavioral health professional or an official representative of a religious institution. Sets forth various program requirements. Provides that, if either of the parties to a prospective marriage is under 18 years of age and unemancipated, one parent or legal guardian of each party shall also execute the affidavit. Provides that, if the parties to a prospective marriage submit the affidavit to the county clerk and they have complied with other applicable requirements, the county clerk shall issue a license to marry without delay. Provides that, if the parties have complied with other applicable requirements but do not submit a pre-marital education affidavit, the county clerk shall issue a license to marry 60 days after the date an application for a marriage license is submitted; however, if the parties submit a pre-marital education affidavit during the 60-day period, the county clerk shall then issue a license to marry without further delay. Sets forth exceptions to the pre-marital education requirement for parties with a catastrophic illness or a late-stage pregnancy. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Exempts parties from the pre-marital education requirement if they are both at least 55 years of age. Provides that pre-marital education may be conducted by a designated (rather than official) representative of a religious institution. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Adds legislative findings. Provides that the pre-marital education program shall focus generally on relationship skills (rather than focusing on communication, conflict resolution, and other relationship skills). Provides that there shall be no State-prescribed curriculum. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 3. Provides that, if both of the parties to a prospective marriage are under 18 years of age and unemancipated, one parent or legal guardian of each party shall also execute the pre-marital education affidavit. Provides that, if one of the parties to a prospective marriage is under 18 years of age and unemancipated, one parent or legal guardian of the party who is under 18 years of age shall also execute the pre-marital education affidavit. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 3 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status