MD HB152

Establishes qualification requirements for court-appointed custody evaluators in contested custody or visitation cases in Maryland, effective July 1, 2025

Requires custody evaluators to hold specific professional licenses: board-certified psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, licensed clinical marriage and family therapists, licensed certified social workers-clinical, licensed clinical professional counselors, or graduate/master social workers with at least 2 years of relevant experience

Mandates evaluators complete training conforming to Administrative Office of the Courts guidelines, maintain continuing education requirements, and have experience observing or performing custody evaluations

Requires evaluators to have current knowledge in domestic violence, child neglect and abuse, trauma impacts, family conflict and dynamics, child and adult development, and divorce/separation impacts

Prohibits courts from ordering parties to pay assessment costs without providing notice and opportunity to object