Legislative wrap-up

The Maryland General Assembly has wrapped up its regular session for the year.  In my opinion there aren't any huge changes in the law this year.  For several years in a row no bill on presumptive joint legal custody was passed, nor was a bill which enumerated the factors for child custody determinations.  A bill which required notice of intent to move also did not pass.  One bill which did pass allows the court to allocate the costs of a court-appointed attorney for the child.  For parents paying the costs, this can be a large amount of money on top of what each parent is already paying for his/her attorney.  An attorney for the child can be very helpful for the court to get a neutral view of what is best for the children and/or what the children want, and is a necessity  when the testimony or opinion of a psychotherapist may be needed since neither of the warring parents can waive the privilege.