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Committee backs bill to expand certified batterers intervention as sentencing option
Summary
House Bill 661 would authorize judges to direct some domestic-violence defendants to certified batterers intervention programs (26–48 weeks, counselor-to-defendant ratios specified); sponsor and members debated program fit, judicial discretion, indigent access and available data before moving the bill to finance/ways and means.
The Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 661 after a sponsor presentation describing the measure as providing judges an option to order convicted domestic-violence defendants into certified batterers intervention programs as part of alternative sentencing.
The sponsor said certified programs (currently operating in about 40 counties) require between 26 and 48 weeks of instruction, with classes lasting two hours and a counselor-to-defendant ratio of 1:6. Judges may revoke participation for noncompletion and return defendants to prior sentencing options, including incarceration.
Members questioned whether the bill would unduly limit judicial discretion or require inappropriate placements (for example, roommate disputes or incidents better addressed by anger-management or substance-abuse programs). Representative Johnson raised concerns about indigent defendants' ability to pay and whether judges would be forced to impose a program that does not fit a defendant's needs. The sponsor said judges retain discretion and the program offers an additional tool for addressing long-term behavioral issues.
The committee voted to send House Bill 661 as amended to finance/ways and means (17–1). The bill's supporters said the program aims to reduce repeat offending; members asked for data on long-term effectiveness, which the sponsor said is not yet available in committee testimony.
