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Bill

HB 137

Family Law - Child Custody Evaluators - Qualifications

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Arikan and 3 co-sponsors

Maryland establishes mandatory qualification standards for court-appointed child custody evaluators to ensure professional competence in custody assessments.

Hearing 1/29 at 2:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 137

Legislative bill overview

HB 137 establishes new qualification standards for professionals who conduct child custody evaluations in Maryland family court cases. The bill would define minimum credentials, training requirements, and professional standards that evaluators must meet before being appointed by courts to assess custody arrangements and make recommendations affecting children's welfare.

Why is this important

Child custody evaluations directly influence court decisions that determine where children live and how much time they spend with each parent, making evaluator competence critical to outcomes. Currently, Maryland may lack standardized qualification requirements, potentially allowing individuals with varying levels of expertise to conduct evaluations that carry substantial legal weight. Establishing clear standards aims to ensure consistency, protect children's interests, and reduce disputes over evaluator credibility.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Stricter qualifications may reduce the pool of available evaluators, potentially increasing costs for families already navigating expensive custody disputes and court proceedings
  • Retroactive application: Unclear whether the bill would apply to existing court-appointed evaluators or only new appointments, creating potential fairness and transition issues
  • Scope of credentials: Disagreement likely over what qualifications constitute adequate expertise—whether psychology degrees, social work licenses, or other credentials should be required, and whether experience can substitute for formal education

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

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