The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to legal decision-making and parenting time proceedings by prohibiting courts from ordering a party to pay for any therapeutic intervention without their consent. This change is significant as it aims to protect individuals from being mandated to participate in therapy or counseling programs that they do not agree to, thereby ensuring that any such interventions are consensual. Additionally, the bill introduces a definition of "therapeutic intervention," which encompasses any therapy, treatment, or counseling aimed at improving or maintaining parent-child or parent-parent relationships, including court-ordered behavioral interventions.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the admissibility of expert testimony in these proceedings. It stipulates that expert testimony related to therapeutic intervention, child development, mental or physical health, domestic violence, or substance abuse is permissible if the expert meets specific qualifications, including having specialized expertise in child development and substantial clinical experience with children. This provision aims to ensure that only qualified professionals can provide testimony that may influence court decisions, thereby enhancing the integrity of the judicial process in family law cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 25-407.01
House Engrossed Version: 25-407.01
Senate Engrossed Version: 25-419