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SB 222

Family Law - Child Custody Evaluators - Qualifications

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Beth Carozza and 1 co-sponsor

Maryland bill establishes professional qualification standards for court-appointed child custody evaluators to improve assessment quality and consistency in family law cases.

First Reading Judicial Proceedings
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Bill Summary · SB 222

Legislative bill overview

SB 222 establishes new qualification requirements for court-appointed child custody evaluators in Maryland. The bill sets professional standards, training prerequisites, and certifications that evaluators must meet before conducting custody assessments used in family law proceedings.

Why is this important

Child custody evaluators play a critical role in determining custody arrangements that directly affect children's welfare and family stability. Standardizing evaluator qualifications aims to improve assessment quality, reduce bias, and increase public confidence in custody decisions that impact thousands of Maryland families annually.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and availability concerns: Stricter qualifications may reduce the pool of available evaluators, potentially increasing wait times and costs for families seeking custody determinations
  • Definition of appropriate credentials: Stakeholders may disagree on which professional backgrounds (psychology, social work, family counseling) should qualify, potentially excluding qualified practitioners
  • Retroactive application: Unclear whether new standards apply to currently practicing evaluators, raising questions about grandfathering existing professionals versus requiring re-certification

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

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