This is an interesting idea…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Couples who undergo premarital counseling in North Dakota may qualify for a $25 discount on their marriage licenses, paid for by federal welfare grants.
Sen. Dick Dever, R-Bismarck, said the legislation would provide a worthwhile incentive for couples to talk over their marriage decision with a counselor beforehand.
“The state does take an interest in the family when it licenses marriage and when it presides at the breakup of those marriages,” Dever said. “This bill does not require anything. It simply encourages premarital counseling.”
A North Dakota marriage license normally costs $65. The sum includes a mandatory $35 fee for a domestic violence prevention fund. Counties may tack on up to $30, and most do.
The legislation says couples who undergo at least four hours of premarital counseling may obtain a voucher from the state Department of Human Services, good for a $25 discount on the cost of a marriage license. Counties then may get their money back from the state agency, the bill says.
The Department of Human Services estimates the program will cost $110,000 over two years. Sen. Carolyn Nelson, D-Fargo, said the agency has indicated the money will come out of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grants. TANF provides cash assistance to poor families.
I think the intentions here are good. It’s the right idea. Marriage counseling is something a lot of people need before committing themselves to one another, not to mention children. But I guess I’m not entirely understanding how it would work.
Who pays for the four hours of counseling? If applicants for the license are paying for it the discount isn’t much of an incentive, though I suspect the state is probably picking up the tab. But even so, that’s still four hours out of two people’s lives for just $25.
And who, really, is going to be making a decision about whether or not to get married based on only four hours of counseling? The counseling can’t hurt, but given the cost of the program I’m not sure the meager amount of good it would do is worth it.
Divorce is a big problem in this country, and something needs to be done to address it (though I’m not sure the answer can come from government). Regardless, this particular solution isn’t likely to provide much help.