Eight hours of pre-marriage counseling could save couples $20 on their license fees.

The idea is one representative's attempt to create a "better start" to Utah marriages -- many of which end up in divorce.

"I think it would be very good for Utah," said sponsor of House Bill 8, Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City.

The House, who heard the bill last year, voted 50-18 to send it on to the Senate.

Last year, the bill never came up on the Senate's agenda.

Any person authorized to perform a marriage, psychologist, licensed therapist or minister could do the educating.

Instruction would have to include topics on commitment, communication, financial and conflict management skills and an understanding of what constitutes domestic abuse.

Some legislators found cause for complaint, however. Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, questioned whether the eight hours of counseling would do any good.

Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, worried the bill would hurt the displaced homemaker program, since the $20 fee that would be waived to couples currently funds athat program.

Rep. Douglas Aagard, R-Kaysville, said that wasn't a problem.

"We only need to teach a couple couples good parenting and marriage relationship skills to make up any social costs to the state," he said.

HB 8, Marriage Preparation Education, Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City

Bill would give a $20 discount on marriage license fees to couples who receive at least eight hours of marriage preparation instruction.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A9.