403.705 Domestic violence coordinating councils -- Membership -- Purpose -- Local protocol required -- Domestic violence fatality review teams -- Duties

(1) One (1) or more local domestic violence coordinating councils may be established in any jurisdiction or group of counties

(2) Membership on local domestic violence coordinating councils may include, but not be limited to, judges, Commonwealth's and county attorneys, law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, spouse abuse center staff, other victim advocates defined under KRS 421.570, family service workers employed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, mental health professionals, health care professionals, educators, public advocates, and other persons as deemed appropriate

(4) (3) The purpose of local domestic violence coordinating councils shall include, but not be limited to, the promotion of public awareness about domestic violence, the facilitation of interagency coordination, and the assessment of service delivery related to domestic violence

Local domestic violence coordinating councils shall develop a local protocol consistent with nationally recognized practice

Local domestic violence coordinating councils may, if authorized by the local coroner or a medical examiner, create a domestic violence fatality review team, the purpose of which shall be to prevent future deaths and injuries related to domestic violence

(5) (6) Domestic violence fatality review teams of local domestic violence coordinating councils may: (a) Analyze information regarding local domestic violence fatalities to identify trends, patterns, and risk factors; (b) Evaluate the effectiveness of local prevention and intervention strategies; and (c) Recommend, to the appropriate state or local governmental agency, changes in the Kentucky Revised Statutes, administrative regulations, policies, budgets, and treatment and service standards that may facilitate the prevention of domestic violence fatalities. The fatality review team may establish a protocol for the investigation of domestic violence fatalities and may establish operating rules and procedures as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section

(7) The review of a case by a domestic violence fatality review team may include information from reports generated or received by agencies, organizations, or individuals responsible for investigation, prosecution, or treatment in the case

(8) The proceedings, records, opinions, and deliberations of the domestic violence fatality review team shall be privileged and shall not be subject to discovery, subpoena, or introduction into evidence in any civil action in any manner that would directly or indirectly identify specific persons or cases reviewed by the local team. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict or limit the right to discover or use in any civil action any evidence that is discoverable independent of the proceedings of the domestic violence fatality review team

Effective:June 29, 2017 History: Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 80, sec. 51, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 99, sec. 626, effective June 20, 2005. -- Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 317, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000