Texas Senate Bill SB1236

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to child custody evaluations; creating an offense.

Impact

The bill introduces significant changes to existing protocols for child custody evaluations. By accentuating the need for comprehensive evaluations that include interviews of all parties involved and assessments of home environments, SB1236 aims to create a more standardized approach to custody cases. This could lead to more consistent outcomes across various jurisdictions in Texas, promoting the well-being of children during potentially contentious custody proceedings. Furthermore, by providing a clearer legal framework, the bill may reduce litigation costs associated with ambiguous or incomplete custody evaluations.

Summary

SB1236 relates to the procedures and standards for child custody evaluations in Texas. This legislation amends the Family Code to enhance the requirements for conducting such evaluations, focusing on the protection of children involved in custody disputes. The bill seeks to clarify the responsibilities of child custody evaluators, emphasizing the importance of completing all necessary evaluations before forming opinions regarding conservatorship and access to children. Such measures aim to ensure that decisions made in custody cases are based on thorough and fair evaluations.

Contention

Despite its intent to improve child custody evaluations, SB1236 may face contention regarding its implications on the confidentiality of the evaluation process. The introduction of provisions that allow child custody evaluators access to criminal history records may raise concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of sensitive information. Additionally, the bill's emphasis on thoroughness might pose challenges for evaluators, especially in cases involving mental health issues, as the requirement for psychometric testing may necessitate additional expertise that not all evaluators have. These potential hurdles may evoke differing opinions among stakeholders within the family law community.