Stillwater NewsPress

A state lawmaker wants to require couples to obtain marriage counseling before tying the knot.

The bill by Rep. Mark McCullough of Sapulpa would require couples to obtain at least eight hours of counseling before they can obtain a marriage license.

Couples that obtain the minimum amount of counseling would pay $50 for a marriage license. But couples that obtain 20 hours or more would pay only $5. The legislation also requires couples with minor children to go through mandatory pre-divorce education classes before a divorce can be granted.

McCullough says research shows children from broken homes are 12 times more likely to be incarcerated, seven times more likely to live in poverty and three times more likely to be expelled from school.