Requiring courts to order a minor and their family have psychological...
Requiring courts to order a minor and their family have psychological evaluations and, if necessary, counseling, where parental rights and responsibilities are contested in a family court matter.
HB335 proposes a change in how family court handles disputes over parental rights and responsibilities. Specifically, it would require courts to order psychological evaluations and, if needed, counseling for both the minor involved and their family when such disputes arise. This means that in family court cases where parents argue over who should have more say in the child's upbringing, the court would first need to assess the mental well-being of the child and the family.
This bill would affect families engaged in contested family court cases, particularly those involving minors. The goal is to ensure that the child's best interests are considered from a psychological standpoint, potentially leading to better outcomes for the child and the family as a whole.
As of the latest update, HB335 was introduced on January 8, 2025, and referred to the Children and Family Law committee. On February 21, 2025, the committee reported that it was "inexpedient to legislate," meaning they recommended against the bill's advancement. A motion to adopt this report was then adopted by voice vote on March 6, 2025, effectively halting the bill's progress for now.