This bill amends existing laws regarding child custody proceedings in Louisiana by introducing provisions for court-ordered mental health evaluations and child custody evaluations. It allows the court to order these evaluations for good cause, specifying that they must be conducted by licensed mental health professionals. The bill outlines the qualifications required for these professionals, including a current unrestricted license and relevant training, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. Additionally, it establishes guidelines for the costs associated with these evaluations, stating that the court may allocate costs based on the parties' ability to pay and may reserve the right to reallocate costs upon the conclusion of the case.

Furthermore, the bill sets forth evidentiary restrictions for both mental health and child custody evaluations, ensuring that all opinion testimony is subject to the Code of Evidence and that evaluators cannot perform other roles related to the parties or children. It emphasizes the right of all parties to access the evaluator's file and to challenge the evaluator's findings, particularly for indigent parents. The bill also prohibits the admission of certain types of evidence, such as polygraphs, and mandates that all psychological testing used must be empirically established and accepted within the mental health profession.

Statutes affected:
HB236 Original:
HB236 Engrossed:
HB236 Reengrossed:
HB236 Enrolled:
HB236 Act :