In addition to any other sentence authorized by present law, this bill requires a person convicted of a Class A or B misdemeanor in general sessions court to be required to complete a cognitive behavioral training course at the offender's expense. The offender must provide proof of course completion to the court or the court's designee within the time period specified by the court. An offender who willfully fails to complete the course or to provide proof of completion within the specified time period is in contempt of court and may be punished by confinement of up to 10 days. This bill requires such a cognitive behavioral training course to (i) be available to be completed online via computer or mobile device; (ii) be available in languages other than English; (iii) cost the offender no more than $100 and offer payment options; and (iv) include required human interaction in the completion of the course, including, but not limited to, grading, feedback, or guidance. Further, this bill requires an entity providing such a course online to (i) be a current provider of online cognitive behavioral services to a federal, state, or local entity, with documented or published results of effectiveness; (ii) be available to provide telephone support for offenders at least five days per week; (iii) provide human facilitators responsible for grading course materials; (iv) provide the offender with a certificate of completion within 72 hours of finishing the course; and (v) provide all necessary informational or referral materials to counties at no cost to the county. This bill authorizes a county or municipality to provide an in-person cognitive behavioral training program. However, if such a program is offered, then the county or municipality must also offer an online cognitive behavioral training program that complies with the requirements of this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-35-302