Family Law - Child Custody Evaluators - Qualifications

HB 924 sets new qualifications for professionals appointed by Maryland courts to conduct child custody evaluations. It specifies that custody evaluators must be licensed in one of six fields (such as psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, or marriage and family therapy) and meet specific education, experience, and training requirements. The bill requires evaluators to have completed court-approved training, ongoing education in their field, and demonstrated expertise in areas like domestic violence, child abuse, trauma, and family dynamics. This directly affects courts appointing evaluators and the professionals seeking to serve in this role, ensuring they meet standardized competency standards.