Family Law – Child Custody Evaluators – Qualifications

SB 25 establishes specific qualifications for individuals appointed by Maryland courts as child custody evaluators. It requires evaluators to be licensed mental health professionals (such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, or marriage and family therapists) with defined training, experience, and expertise in areas like domestic violence, child trauma, and family dynamics. The bill mandates that courts cannot appoint someone who doesn't meet these standards, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects courts, custody evaluators, and families involved in contested custody cases by ensuring evaluators have verified expertise to assess children's best interests.