Story Created:
Mar 12, 2010 at 11:27 AM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 12, 2010 at 11:27 AM CST
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Legislation that would require pre-marital and divorce counseling has narrowly passed the Oklahoma House.
The House voted 51-45 Wednesday night to send the bill to the state Senate for consideration. It takes at least 51 votes to pass a bill in the 101-member House.
The bill by Rep. Mark McCullough of Sapulpa would require two hours of pre-marital counseling before a marriage license is issued. It would also give a $45 dollar discount on a license for couples who get at least eight hours of counseling.
The measure also allows for a "covenant marriage" license, ends future recognition of "common law" marriages and requires pre-divorce education classes for couples with children.
McCullough says divorce and unwed childbearing costs the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
