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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont Requests Recommendations to Increase Family Forensic Evaluators in Child Welfare Cases
Last action · January 15, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciarySponsors: Ian Goodnow and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
The General Assembly requests the Chief Superior Judge, , and Vermont Psychological Association to recommend strategies by November 1, 2025, for increasing family forensic evaluator availability in complex family court cases.
A shortage of specialized mental health professionals currently delays court resolution in child welfare and parenting disputes, affecting how families navigate the Family Division of the Superior Court.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Chief Superior Judge
Must collaborate with state and professional offices to examine evaluator needs and submit recommendations to the General Assembly.
Office of Professional Regulation
The Director is asked to participate in examining barriers and strategies regarding family forensic evaluators.
Vermont Psychological Association
The Executive Director is asked to help examine evaluator availability and submit recommendations.
Key Facts
- The General Assembly asks the Chief Superior Judge, Office of Professional Regulation, and Vermont Psychological Association to collaborate on evaluator availability.
- The collaborative study must examine the need for and geographic distribution of family forensic evaluators in complex parental rights cases.
- The study must evaluate barriers to increasing evaluator numbers and determine if ethical complaint protections are warranted.
- Recommendations must be submitted to the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2025.
Show all 5 facts
- The act takes effect upon passage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of House Bill 36?
Who is required to collaborate on these recommendations?
When are the recommendations due?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 15, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance25How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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