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Bill

H 36

An act relating to family forensic evaluators

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ian Goodnow and 1 co-sponsor

The bill standardizes and regulates family forensic evaluators in Vermont, establishing qualifications, reporting standards, oversight, and procedures for court use of their assess

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 36

Summary of Bill H. 36 (2025-2026) – Vermont

Purpose and intent

  • H. 36 is an act relating to family forensic evaluators. The bill appears to address the use, qualifications, standards, and procedures governing professionals who conduct forensic evaluations in family law matters (e.g., custody, visitation, parental fitness) within Vermont.
  • The overarching goal is to formalize how family forensic evaluators function in court proceedings to support informed judicial decision-making in family cases.

Key provisions and changes (as described by the bill's title and typical scope of similar legislation)

  • Establishment or clarification of qualifications: The bill likely sets minimum qualifications, training, and credentials required for individuals serving as family forensic evaluators.
  • Standards and methodology: It may define acceptable methods, reporting standards, and ethical guidelines for evaluations to ensure consistency, reliability, and fairness.
  • Certification or registration requirements: The act could create a process for registering or certifying evaluators, including renewals and disciplinary provisions for violations.
  • Court procedures and use of reports: Provisions may specify how evaluative reports are to be prepared, submitted, and used in court, including timelines, notice to parties, and the ability to challenge or cross-examine findings.
  • Conflict of interest and confidentiality: The bill may address conflicts of interest, safeguards to avoid bias, and how confidential information is handled in the context of family cases.
  • Fees and reimbursement: Potential guidance on who pays for evaluations, fee structures, and any state oversight of costs.
  • Remedies and sanctions: Provisions for disciplinary actions, such as removal from the roster, fines, or other sanctions for noncompliance with standards.
  • Reporting and oversight: Possible requirements for annual reporting or oversight by a state agency or judiciary to monitor use and outcomes of evaluations.

Who would be affected

  • Family forensic evaluators: Individuals who perform custody and related family assessments would be directly impacted through new qualifications, certification requirements, ethical standards, and possible state oversight.
  • Judges, clerks, and other court personnel: Court actors would interact with standardized reports and abide by new procedures for presenting and evaluating forensic findings.
  • Families involved in custody or parental fitness proceedings: Parties in family court cases would experience potential changes in how evaluations are commissioned, how reports are used, and the timelines for decisions.
  • Private practitioners and licensed professionals: Mental health professionals and other experts who perform evaluations may need to adjust practices to meet any new Vermont-specific standards.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • First reading: January 15, 2025 — the bill was read in the House and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
  • Committee action: As of the available information, the bill has not yet advanced beyond committee; further action would include hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the House, and possibly Senate consideration if the bill progresses.
  • Next steps typically include: public hearings, stakeholder input, passage by one chamber, reconciliation if there are differences between chambers, and eventual signature or veto by the governor.

Notes

  • Specifics such as exact qualification requirements, the certification process, fee structures, timelines for evaluations, and precise disciplinary mechanisms are not provided in the brief action history. The details would be clarified in the full text of the bill and any amendments adopted during committee or floor debates.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary further after reviewing the full bill text or any official bill analyses, to extract exact provisions, dates, and numerical requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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