Bill No. 1273 aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding penalties for domestic violence offenses, particularly focusing on assault and battery against intimate partners or household members. The bill introduces stricter penalties, including enhanced sentences for offenses against pregnant women and those resulting in great bodily injury. It establishes mandatory participation in certified batterers' intervention programs, requiring assessments to determine appropriate treatment for defendants. The bill also outlines conditions for delaying sentencing and mandates review hearings to ensure compliance with treatment requirements. Notably, it removes the previous requirement for defendants to participate in counseling, instead emphasizing structured intervention through certified programs that prioritize victim safety and batterer accountability.

Additionally, the bill ensures that victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault will not incur any fees related to the prosecution of these offenses. It mandates that prosecutors provide the court with the defendant's local history and relevant past convictions before sentencing in cases of domestic abuse and related offenses. The bill clarifies that guilty pleas or findings of guilt will be treated as convictions for ten years after completing any probation, with specific definitions provided for "great bodily injury." The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, following its passage in the House of Representatives on March 26, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-644
Floor (House): 21-644
Engrossed: 21-644