PRE-MARITAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

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 a designated representative of a religious institution. Sets forth various program requirements. 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. 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. Exempts parties from the pre-marital education requirement if they are both at least 55 years of age.