(1) Psychologists must utilize generally accepted standards for data collection and use as follows:
- (a) In evaluating alternative hypotheses, psychologists must include data from several different sources and types, such as interviews, testing, observations of interactions, questionnaires, and record reviews and be prepared to specify the reasons for collecting each kind of data and the relation to the child's best interests.
- (b) Psychologists must keep comprehensive and detailed records of all data collected.
- (c) Psychologists must save all raw data and make it available for review, as required by law.
- (d) Psychologists must not treat subjective data as objective and must attempt to corroborate or rule out allegations of parental behavior affecting a child detrimentally.
- (e) Psychologists must disclose when unable to form a clear opinion based on objective data or data verified by multiple sources and, if appropriate, recommend methods to gather further data, such as a child seeing a therapist or a parent undergoing drug and alcohol assessment.
- (f) If issues affecting what is in the child's best interest arise and cannot be investigated due to the limited scope of the evaluation as imposed by the court or an agency, the psychologist must report those issues to the parents, their attorneys, and the court.
- (g) Psychologists without the expertise to investigate or form an opinion on issues that may arise must involve another psychologist or specialist having the necessary expertise.
Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-1-136, MCA
Implementing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-1-136, MCA
History: NEW, 2001 MAR p. 1742, Eff. 9/7/01; TRANS, from Commerce, 2004 MAR p. 2282; AMD, 2026 MAR, Notice No. 2026-151, Eff. 5/9/26.