MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Carlton

AN ACT TO MANDATE DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION EDUCATION FOR FIRST TIME DOMESTIC ABUSE OFFENDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The Social Science Research Center of Mississippi State University shall engage in a comprehensive planning process and conduct a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of various domestic violence programs and to develop, coordinate and implement a meaningful and responsive program, statewide, to prevent domestic violence. The scope of planning shall be to determine the components of effective batterers' programs, the minimum length of intervention in which benefits are derived while remaining cost effective, the differences in outcomes between court-mandated versus voluntary batterers' participation and what are the predictors of domestic violence assaults and other abusive behaviors and subsequent arrests. In developing the plan, the Social Science Research Center, in its discretion, may invite active participation from local consumers, practitioners, researchers, foundations, mayors, members of the Legislature, any available federal regional staff and any other appropriate participant.

(2) The Statewide Domestic Abuse Education Program shall be developed as a pilot program for a period of three (3) years. The Social Science Research Center shall collect data from not more than five (5) sites in which various batterer's programs are currently being conducted. Comparisons will be made once programs are identified; the center will oversee development of requests for proposals and will contract for services and program evaluation.

(3) In addition to the research and evaluation components of the pilot program, the Statewide Domestic Abuse Education Program shall offer a wide range of services, including, but not limited to, the following: crisis resolution; teaching measures to prevent the repeated occurrence of abuse, neglect or family conflict; education in parenting skills, child development, communication and negotiation skills.

(4) The Social Science Research Center of Mississippi State University shall report to the Legislature the results of the pilot program not later than October 15, 2002.

SECTION 2. (1) From and after July 1, 2003, upon conviction of any person for the first offense of domestic abuse as defined in Section 99-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, the court shall order such person to attend and complete a domestic abuse education program.

(2) The domestic abuse education program shall be that developed by the Statewide Domestic Abuse Education Program pilot

program.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.