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Bill

S 4994

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 6 co-sponsors

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

REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
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Bill Summary · S 4994

Summary of Bill S 4994: Moratorium on Forensic Child Custody Evaluators

Overview

Bill S 4994 would impose a moratorium on the use of forensic child custody evaluators in family court proceedings. Introduced on February 14, 2025, the measure has been referred to the Senate Committee on Children and Families for consideration. The bill is attributed to primary sponsor Pete Harckham, with multiple cosponsors, including Liz Krueger, Jeremy Cooney, Jessica Ramos, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, and Anthony H. Palumbo. Related bills from prior sessions (S 8952 and S 5385) are noted as context.

Purpose and Intent

  • The core objective is to halt or pause the use of forensic child custody evaluators in family court settings.
  • The available information does not specify the duration, scope, or conditions of the moratorium beyond establishing the pause in use. Additional details (e.g., definitions, exemptions, or transition provisions) would be in the full bill text.

Key Provisions (as indicated)

  • Establishes a moratorium on the use of forensic child custody evaluators in family court proceedings.
  • The provided summary does not include explicit definitions, the length of the moratorium, or any temporary vs. permanent nature, nor any procedures for exemptions, alternatives, or review.

Note: Because only the bill’s title and status are provided, exact provisions such as who qualifies as a “forensic child custody evaluator,” what aspects of custody proceedings are affected, and how disputes or continuances would be handled are not specified here. The full text would be needed for precise provisions.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Family court judges, attorneys, and self-represented parties involved in custody, visitation, or related family proceedings.
  • Forensic evaluators who perform custody-related assessments.
  • Potentially parents, guardians, and children who participate in custody determinations, as well as court administrators and child welfare stakeholders.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: February 14, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Children and Families (listed in the record as of 2025-02-14). The duplicate listing suggests multiple referrals or a clerical duplication in the actions log.
  • Next steps typically include committee hearings, possible amendments, and a floor vote if the bill advances.

Sponsors and Related Legislation

  • Primary Sponsor: Pete Harckham
  • Cosponsors: Liz Krueger, Jeremy Cooney, Jessica Ramos, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Anthony H. Palumbo
  • Related bills (prior-session): S 8952, S 5385
    • These related measures indicate prior consideration of similar themes or approaches in earlier sessions.

Potential Implications and Considerations

  • Impact on custody decision-making: A moratorium could shift toward alternative assessment methods or delay certain evaluations in custody cases.
  • Access and equity: The pause may affect families differently depending on case complexity and available resources.
  • Administrative and fiscal effects: Courts and practitioners may need to adjust workflows; evaluator contracts and availability could be impacted.
  • Policy questions likely to arise in debate: rationale for the moratorium, duration, oversight, and remedies if urgent custody decisions are required.

How to Track

  • Monitor the bill’s progress in the Senate Committee on Children and Families for hearings, amendments, and votes.
  • Check for the full bill text to understand definitions, exceptions, duration, and transitional provisions.
  • Review communications from sponsor offices for rationale and intended outcomes.

If you’d like, I can monitor updates and provide a follow-up summary once the committee report or floor action becomes available.

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

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