S 4994 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes a moratorium on the use of forensic child custody evaluators in family court proceedings

S 4994 establishes an immediate ban on family courts using reports from forensic child custody evaluators (licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers) in custody or visitation cases. The bill prohibits courts from ordering or admitting such reports into evidence, directly affecting judges, attorneys, and families involved in custody disputes. It defines "forensic custody report" broadly to include any evaluation, assessment, or recommendation used by courts in these cases. The moratorium remains in place until all 11 recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Commission on forensic custody evaluations are implemented.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026
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2
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0
Committee
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

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