52:27D-43.17d Duties of board.

4. The board shall:

a. Identify domestic violence-related fatalities that meet the following criteria:

(1) The manner of death is homicide, and the deceased was the spouse, former spouse, present or former household member of the perpetrator of the homicide or person with whom the perpetrator has had a dating relationship;

(2) The manner of death is suicide, and the deceased was a victim of one or more acts of domestic violence committed by a spouse, former spouse, present or former household member or person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship;

(3) The manner of death is homicide or suicide, and the deceased is the perpetrator of a homicide committed against a spouse, former spouse, present or former household member or person with whom the perpetrator has had a dating relationship;

(4) The manner of death is homicide or suicide, and the deceased is the child of either a victim of a homicide committed by a spouse, former spouse, present or former household member or person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship, or the perpetrator of the homicide;

(5) The manner of death is homicide or suicide, and the deceased is the child of a victim of a homicide committed by a spouse, former spouse, present or former household member or person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship and the perpetrator of the homicide;

(6) The deceased is a law enforcement officer, health care professional, representative of any agency or organization that provides services to victims of domestic violence or an emergency medical technician or paramedic who died while responding to an incident of domestic violence;

(7) The manner of death is homicide or suicide, and the deceased is a family member of either a victim of a homicide committed by a spouse, former spouse, present or former household member or person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship, or the perpetrator of the homicide;

(8) The manner of death is homicide or suicide, and the deceased is the perpetrator of a homicide of a family member; or

(9) The manner of death is homicide or suicide related to an incident of domestic violence, and the deceased is not a family member, spouse, former spouse, present or former household member or person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship.

As used in this subsection, "family member" means a person 16 years of age or older related to another person by blood, marriage or adoption, including: a sibling, parent, stepsibling or stepparent of the person or his spouse; and a person whose status is preceded by the words "great" or "grand."

b. Identify near fatalities when information available to the board indicates that domestic violence may have been a contributing factor.

c. Collect and review death certificates, autopsy, investigative, police, medical, counseling, victim service and employment records, child abuse and neglect reports, survivor interviews, surveys, and any other information the board deems necessary and appropriate in determining the cause of a domestic violence-related fatality or near fatality.

d. Make a determination whether a domestic violence-related fatality or near fatality may have been prevented with improvements to the policies and procedures used by health care, social service, law enforcement, governmental or nongovernmental agencies and organizations to provide services to victims of domestic violence and their families.

e. Implement a Statewide public education campaign to promote awareness among the public, community organizations, law enforcement agencies and health care providers on issues relating to the prevention of domestic violence.

f. Conduct a Statewide domestic violence safety and accountability audit. The audit shall include a systematic analysis of intra agency and interagency policies and procedures used by:

(1) law enforcement agencies and the court system when investigating and prosecuting cases of domestic violence-related fatalities and near fatalities, as appropriate; and

(2) State and local agencies and organizations when providing services to victims of domestic violence.

L.2003,c.225,s.4.