(a) For purposes of this section and section 17b-112b:

(1) “Victim of domestic violence” means a person who has been abused or subjected to extreme cruelty by: (A) Physical acts that resulted in or were threatened to result in physical injury; (B) sexual abuse; (C) sexual activity involving a child in the home; (D) being forced to participate in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities; (E) threats of or attempts at physical or sexual abuse; (F) mental abuse; or (G) neglect or deprivation of medical care; and

(2) “Work activity” means subsidized or unsubsidized employment, job training, education, work placement assistance or community service program.

(b) For purposes of this section, allegations of domestic violence by a victim may be sufficient to establish domestic violence where the Department of Social Services has no independent, reasonable basis to find the applicant or recipient not credible. Upon alleging domestic violence an applicant or recipient may be required to provide a sworn statement or to submit to the department any evidence of such violence available to the applicant or recipient. Evidence of domestic violence may include, but is not limited to: (1) Police, government agency or court records; (2) documentation from a shelter worker, legal, medical, clerical or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with domestic violence; or (3) a statement from an individual with knowledge of the circumstances which provide the basis for the claim of domestic violence.

(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall notify applicants and recipients of temporary family assistance, who are past or present victims of domestic violence or at risk of further domestic violence, of the following:

(1) Referrals available to counseling and supportive services, including, but not limited to, shelter services, medical services, domestic abuse hotlines, legal counseling and advocacy, mental health care and financial assistance; and

(2) Procedures to voluntarily and confidentially identify eligibility for referrals to such counseling and supportive services.

(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement policies and procedures necessary to notify such applicants and recipients of the information specified in subsection (c) of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing such policies and procedures. Final regulations shall be submitted to the legislative regulation review committee no later than November 15, 1997. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.

(e) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish a domestic violence training program for employees of the Department of Social Services and any contractors with said department who work with applicants or recipients of temporary family assistance.

(f) For the purpose of establishing said training program, the commissioner may consult with domestic violence organizations or experts.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 2, 165; P.A. 13-214, S. 8.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 13-214 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to redefine “victim of domestic violence” by substituting “abused” for “battered”.