RCW 10.99.801 Domestic violence perpetrator treatment work group—Report to legislature. (Expires June 30, 2021.)

(1) The administrative office of the courts shall, through the Washington state gender and justice commission of the supreme court, convene a work group to address the issue of domestic violence perpetrator treatment and the role of certified perpetrator treatment programs in holding domestic violence perpetrators accountable.

(2) The work group must include a representative for each of the following organizations or interests: Superior court judges, district court judges, municipal court judges, court probation officers, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, civil legal aid attorneys, domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence perpetrator treatment providers, the department of social and health services, the department of corrections, the Washington state institute for public policy, and the University of Washington evidence based practice institute. At least two domestic violence perpetrator treatment providers must be represented as members of the work group.

(3)(a) For its initial report in 2018, the work group shall: (i) Review laws, regulations, and court and agency practices pertaining to domestic violence perpetrator treatment used in civil and criminal contexts, including criminal domestic violence felony and misdemeanor offenses, family law, child welfare, and protection orders; (ii) consider the development of a universal diagnostic evaluation tool to be used by treatment providers and the department of corrections to assess the treatment needs of domestic violence perpetrators; and (iii) develop recommendations on changes to existing laws, regulations, and court and agency practices to improve victim safety, decrease recidivism, advance treatment outcomes, and increase the courts' confidence in domestic violence perpetrator treatment.

(b) The work group shall report its recommendations to the affected entities and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than June 30, 2018.

(4)(a) For its report in 2019, the work group shall:

(i) Provide guidance and additional recommendations with respect to how prior recommendations of the work group should be implemented for the purpose of promoting effective strategies to reduce domestic violence in Washington state;

(ii) Monitor, evaluate, and provide recommendations for the implementation of the newly established domestic violence treatment administrative codes;

(iii) Monitor, evaluate, and provide recommendations on the implementation and supervision of domestic violence sentencing alternatives in different counties to promote consistency; and

(iv) Provide recommendations on other items deemed appropriate by the work group.

(b) The work group shall report its recommendations to the affected entities and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than June 30, 2020.

(5) The work group must operate within existing funds.

(6) This section expires June 30, 2021.

[ 2019 c 263 § 802; 2017 c 272 § 7.]

NOTES:

Effective date—2019 c 263 §§ 801-803: "Sections 801 through 803 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect June 30, 2019." [ 2019 c 263 § 1005.]

Findings—Intent—2019 c 263 §§ 202-803: See note following RCW 10.01.240.

Finding—Domestic violence work groups—2019 c 263 §§ 802 and 803: See note following RCW 10.99.800.