The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes regarding court appointments and fees in custody proceedings. It would restrict the court's ability to seek professional advice to situations where the best interests of the child cannot be determined without such advice. Additionally, it mandates that evaluations of a child's best interests must be conducted by professionals with specific expertise in child development or experience with domestic violence victims. The bill also prohibits psychiatric evaluations of parents unless there is a demonstrated high risk of harm to the child and stipulates that the court, rather than the parents, will cover the costs of these evaluations.

Furthermore, the bill would require that investigations in contested custody cases be conducted by licensed professionals with relevant expertise, replacing the previous requirement that allowed for a broader range of investigators. It removes the financial burden from parents by ensuring the court pays for the costs associated with these investigations. The bill also eliminates outdated training requirements for investigators, streamlining the process while ensuring that only qualified professionals are involved in custody evaluations and investigations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 25-405, 25-406