Immunity: court-appointed professionals.

Existing law authorizes the court, if it appears that expert evidence is or may be required by the court or any party to the action, to appoint one or more experts to investigate, to render a report, and to testify as an expert at the trial of the action relative to the fact or matter as to which the expert evidence is or may be required, as specified. Existing law governs family law proceedings. Existing law authorizes or requires, as specified, the court to appoint various professionals to assist in these proceedings, including counsel for the minor, mediators, and child custody evaluators, among others. This bill would prohibit any monetary liability on the part of, and any cause of action for damages against, any professional appointed by court order to provide services to the court pursuant to the provisions described above, as an expert witness or in connection with family law proceedings, for any act, opinion, report, or communication in the performance of those services, as specified.