CS/HB 1163 Summary

• Creates a six-member Marriage Education Committee appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House to develop the Florida Marriage Handbook by September 1, 2013, then dissolves; committee reconstitutes every 10 years thereafter to review and update the handbook.

• Handbook shall address conflict resolution, communication skills, financial management, domestic violence resources, parenting responsibilities, premarital education, marriage enrichment, and contact information for local professional and community services.

• Committee must raise funds from private sources for handbook design, layout, printing, and distribution costs; handbook shall be available from circuit court clerks upon marriage license application.

• Requires marriage license applications to offer applicants the opportunity to receive an electronic copy of the handbook via email, with clerks sending the document within 14 days of receipt of request.

• Takes effect July 1, 2013.