In any contested proceeding involving child custody or visitation rights, the court- appointed child custody evaluator shall file a written confidential report on his or her child custody evaluation, which may include health information.
Support orders issued or modified shall include a provision requiring the child support obligor to keep the agency informed of whether the obligor has health insurance coverage and, if so, the health insurance policy information. The court shall require that health insurance coverage for a supported child shall be maintained by either or both parents if that insurance is available at no cost or at a reasonable cost to the parent.
In making a determination of the best interest of the child the court shall consider the health, safety, and welfare of the child and any history of abuse by one parent or any other person seeking custody against any child. Under any allegations of abuse, the court may require written reports by law enforcement agencies, child protective services, courts, medical facilities, or other public agencies providing services to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence.
The parent or person having custody of the child may contact the insurer, by telephone or in writing, and request information about the health insurance coverage for the child. The insurer shall provide the requested information that is specific to the health insurance coverage for the child.
If the local child support agency has been designated as payee for child support, the court shall order the parent to notify the agency upon applying for health insurance coverage for the child. The agency shall obtain a completed medical form and shall forward the completed form to the Department of Health Services. In cases where the agency is providing medical support enforcement services, the agency shall provide the parent with information pertaining to the health insurance policy.
A report assessing child custody and visitation rights shall include (1) a summary of a written report from any therapist treating the child for suspected child sexual abuse, reports from other professionals, and the results of any forensic medical examination and any other medical examination or treatment that could help establish or disprove whether the child has been the victim of sexual abuse, (2) any information regarding the presence of domestic violence or substance abuse in the family that has been obtained from medical personnel or records, prior or currently treating therapists, or f
The child's counsel is charged with the representation of the child's best interests and is to gather facts and present those facts to the court. The child's counsel shall have the right to access to the child's medical, dental, mental health, and other health care records, and the right to interview, caretakers, health care providers, mental health professionals, and anyone who has assessed the child or provided care to the child. The release of this information to counsel shall not constitute a waiver of the confidentiality of the reports.
