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1997 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 278
Directing the Commission on Family Violence Prevention to study the feasibility of implementing a statewide batterer intervention program.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 30, 1997
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 1997

WHEREAS, family violence is a serious problem which is addressed in a variety of ways, including the recent passage of legislation to strengthen the Commonwealth's arrest policy in cases involving family or household member assault and battery and for violations of protective orders; and

WHEREAS, studies show that intervention programs which hold batterers accountable for their actions are important elements in a comprehensive plan to address family violence; and

WHEREAS, nine states have established centralized oversight authority for batterer intervention programs; and

WHEREAS, establishment of a centralized oversight authority is necessary for effective implementation of standards of practice for programs providing court-ordered services throughout the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Commission on Family Violence Prevention be directed to study the feasibility of implementing a statewide batterer intervention program. The Commission shall examine the adoption, dissemination, and enforcement of formal, minimum standards of practice governing programs providing court-ordered treatment.

In conducting its study, the Commission shall develop recommendations for the structure, placement, staffing and budgetary needs, and a fee mechanism for the batterer intervention program which reflect a commitment to a cooperative and collaborative interagency approach to batterer rehabilitation.

Technical assistance shall be provided by the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

The Commission shall complete its work in time to include its findings and recommendations in its report to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in House Joint Resolution No. 663 (1997) and the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.