COLUMBIA-A Senate subcommittee studying the Family Court system previewed its proposed reform legislation Tuesday.

Chairman Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, said his subcommittee has written language to reduce the marriage license fee and reform the payment system for child support and alimony.

Phil Lenski, a committee staff member, said under the proposed bill, applicants seeking marriage licenses could complete a "qualifying course" for a reduced fee of $5. A course would have to be offered by a professional marriage or family counselor, a clergy member or a clergy designate with training in premarital education.

A uniform $25 fee that is part of the marriage license cost and goes to a domestic violence fund will not be waived, staffer Heather Anderson said. Marriage license fees, which vary by county, are between $15 and $100.

The committee also previewed a proposal to change the Family Court's role in the payment of child support. Under the bill, the Family Court would start with the presumption that it would manage child support payments. Currently, the presumption is that the parties will pay each other directly.

If the spouse charged with paying child support can convince the court he or she will make payments responsibly and on time, the court may let the parties work out payments directly instead of through the court, Lenski said.