24.189.810    COMPETENCY

(1) Psychologists performing parenting plan evaluations in Montana shall be licensed to practice in the state of Montana or meet the requirements for consultation in 37-17-104, MCA.

(2) Psychologists may only perform parenting plan evaluations if they have acquired specialized training, education, and experience in the areas of psychological assessment of children and adults, child and family development, child and family psychopathology, and the impact of divorce on families. They shall acquire current knowledge regarding diverse populations, especially as it relates to child-rearing issues.

(3) Psychologists shall use multiple methods of data collection in a parenting plan evaluation.

(4) Psychologists shall understand, clarify, and utilize the concept of the "best interests of the child" guideline as set forth in Title 40, chapter 4, MCA.

(5) Psychologists shall maintain current knowledge of legal standards regarding parenting plans, divorce, and laws regarding abuse, neglect and family violence. Psychologists shall also understand the civil rights of parties in legal proceedings in which they participate, and manage their professional conduct in a manner that does not diminish or threaten those rights.

(6) Psychologists shall not render diagnoses or form an expert opinion about any party not personally evaluated and may not make parenting plan recommendations when both parents and children have not been personally evaluated by the psychologist. In situations where all parties cannot be evaluated, psychologists shall limit recommendations and opinions to individuals evaluated and shall avoid making recommendations regarding placement and visitation.

History: 37-1-131, 37-1-136, 37-17-202, MCA; IMP, 37-1-136, 37-17-202, MCA; NEW, 2001 MAR p. 1742, Eff. 9/7/01; TRANS, from Commerce, 2004 MAR p. 2282; AMD, 2017 MAR p. 1654, Eff. 9/23/17.