(a) There is established a Domestic Violence Offender Program Standards Advisory Council. The Domestic Violence Offender Program Standards Advisory Council shall promulgate, review and, as needed, update and amend the domestic violence offender program standards that were presented to the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Committee on September 25, 2014.

(b) The council shall consist of the following members:

(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc.;

(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a community-based organization that provides group counseling or treatment to persons who have committed acts of domestic violence;

(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a community-based practicing psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker who provides individual counseling or treatment services to persons who have committed acts of domestic violence;

(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association;

(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a community-based organization that provides services to adults with mental health or substance use disorders;

(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a community-based organization that provides direct services to persons impacted by domestic violence;

(7) Two appointed by the Chief Court Administrator, one of whom shall be a representative of the Court Support Services Division and one of whom shall be a representative of the Office of Victim Services;

(8) The chairperson of the Board of Pardons and Parole, or the chairperson's designee;

(9) The Chief State's Attorney, or the Chief State's Attorney's designee;

(10) The Chief Public Defender, or the Chief Public Defender's designee;

(11) The Victim Advocate, or the Victim Advocate's designee; and

(12) The Commissioners of Children and Families, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Correction and Public Health, or said commissioners' designees.

(c) All appointments to the council shall be made not later than thirty days after June 30, 2015. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(d) The representative of the Court Support Services Division and the representative of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc. shall serve as the chairpersons of the council. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the council, which shall be held not later than sixty days after June 30, 2015. Thereafter, the council shall meet upon the call of the chairpersons or upon the call of a majority of the council members.

(e) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to judiciary shall serve as administrative staff of the council.

(f) Not later than February 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the council shall submit a report on its activities to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to judiciary, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. The report shall include any updates or amendments to the domestic violence offender program standards adopted during the preceding calendar year.

(P.A. 15-211, S. 19.)

History: P.A. 15-211 effective June 30, 2015.