The bill amends sections 12-29-5 and 12-29-5.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-29, known as the "Domestic Violence Prevention Act." The amendments include changes to the disposition of domestic violence cases, specifically regarding the attendance of a batterer's intervention program. The bill removes the requirement for individuals to pay for their own attendance at such a program. It also provides for the possibility of servicemembers or veterans to complete court-approved counseling programs administered or approved by the Veterans' Administration. Additionally, the bill outlines the penalties for misdemeanor and felony domestic violence offenses, including mandatory minimum jail sentences for second and subsequent violations, and clarifies the process for informing defendants of firearm possession prohibitions resulting from domestic violence convictions or pleas.
Further amendments to the bill involve the duties and responsibilities of the committee overseeing batterers intervention programs. The committee is tasked with establishing and revising minimum standards for these programs, ensuring they align with evidence-informed practices. The bill changes the language from "shall" to "may" regarding the duration of the programs and the requirement for batterers to pay fees, allowing for sliding-fee scales and alternatives to payment. It also addresses the acceptance of program attendance from other jurisdictions or while incarcerated. The bill permits the state public safety grant administration office to provide grants for community-based batterers intervention programs and recommends the distribution of funds to cover costs for indigent offenders and to support the use of best practices. The act would take effect upon passage.