Committee approves bill allowing judges to order certified batterers intervention programs
HB661 would permit judges to direct defendants to certified batterers intervention programs (26–48 weeks) and recognizes some out‑of‑state convictions for lifetime protection orders; members asked about fit for non‑partner incidents and indigent defendants. The measure moves to Finance, Ways and Means (17–1–2).
The full story
Chairman White explained House Bill 661 as a measure to expand use of certified batterers intervention programs as alternatives within sentencing and sentencing‑adjacent options. He described minimum program requirements (26–48 weeks, 1 counselor per 6 defendants, classes up to 2 hours) and said judges could direct defendants to certified programs; failure to complete the program would permit a court to reinstate a prior sentence.
Sign up to keep reading.
Your free newsletter brings you what your city council, county, and school board discussed and decided.