HLS 11RS-989 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 86
BY REPRESENTATIVE HUTTER
CRIME/ABUSE: Provides relative to the study and development of standards for domestic
abuse intervention programs
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Abuse to appoint and2
convene a task force to evaluate existing court-approved domestic abuse intervention3
programs across the state, to study similar programs in other states to determine4
responsible, evidence-based best practices in the field of domestic abuse5
intervention, and to report to the Louisiana Legislature its findings and6
recommendations relative to the development of minimum standards for domestic7
abuse intervention programs in this state.8
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature has long recognized the need to protect the9
health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state; and10
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes the need of Louisiana citizens to11
feel safe in their own homes and recognizes that too often Louisiana residents are abused by12
the people with whom they are most closely associated; and13
WHEREAS, in June of 2010, Louisiana had the highest rate of domestic violence14
related homicides in the nation; and15
WHEREAS, from 1997 through 2009, eight hundred ninety-two people died in16
domestic violence incidents and ninety percent of those homicides were committed by17
someone the victim was familiar with, and, in fact, the majority of the murders were18
committed by the victim's current intimate partner or spouse; and19 HLS 11RS-989 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 86
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WHEREAS, in research conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,1
it was estimated that health-related costs of domestic violence exceed eight billion three2
hundred million dollars annually; and3
WHEREAS, according to a study by the United States Department of Labor, spouses4
and intimate partners lose eight million work days to domestic violence every year, which5
is equivalent to cutting thirty-two thousand one hundred fourteen jobs from the economy;6
and 7
WHEREAS, it has been estimated by the Bureau of National Affairs that domestic8
violence costs employers over five billion dollars annually in the form of increased health9
care costs, absenteeism, reduced productivity, and related security costs; and10
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes the need to assist victims of11
domestic abuse battery, and in order to prevent future incidents of domestic violence, to12
provide assistance to the offender as well; and13
WHEREAS, Louisiana law currently requires a domestic abuse battery offender to14
participate in a court-approved domestic abuse intervention program; and15
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes the importance of ensuring that16
these programs utilize responsible intervention methods and employ proven methods and17
evidence-based best practices used in this state and other states to reduce the incidents of18
domestic violence; and19
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes the necessity of providing20
effective domestic abuse intervention programs which directly address the issues and needs21
of the offender while maintaining a focus on the violent behavior of the offender and the22
safety of the victim; and23
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes the need for the development of24
minimum standards and qualifications for court-approved domestic abuse intervention25
programs in this state which will help to define the program structure, format, content, and26
techniques, to aid practitioners in designing new programs or adapting changes to existing27
programs, and to act as a guide for court systems when deciding which programs are28
appropriate for court referral; and29 HLS 11RS-989 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 86
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WHEREAS, in developing these standards, it is necessary that the Louisiana1
Coalition Against Domestic Abuse evaluate the existing court-approved domestic abuse2
intervention programs across the state, and to study similar programs in other states to help3
determine responsible, evidence-based best practices in the field of domestic abuse4
intervention.5
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby6
urge and request the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence to appoint and convene7
a task force, to be known as the "Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Task8
Force", to evaluate existing court-approved domestic abuse intervention programs across the9
state, to study similar programs in other states to determine responsible, evidence-based best10
practices in the field of domestic abuse intervention, and to report to the Committee on the11
Administration of Criminal Justice of the Louisiana House of Representatives its findings12
and recommendations relative to the development of minimum standards for domestic abuse13
intervention programs in this state.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Abuse15
Task Force shall include representation of the following entities: the Department of16
Children and Family Services; the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public17
health; the Department of Public Safety and Corrections; the Department of Public Safety18
and Corrections, office of juvenile justice; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association; the19
Louisiana Public Defender Board; the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association; the Louisiana20
Association of Chiefs of Police; the Louisiana Commission on Marriage and Family; the21
Women's Policy and Research Commission; the District Judges Association; and any other22
agency or entities which the department deems appropriate.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic24
Abuse Task Force report its findings and recommendations to the Committee on the25
Administration of Criminal Justice of the Louisiana House of Representatives prior to the26
convening of the 2012 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the28
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Abuse.29 HLS 11RS-989 ORIGINAL
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hutter HCR No. 86
Requests the La. Coalition Against Domestic Abuse to appoint and convene a task force to
be known as the "Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Task Force" to evaluate
existing court-approved domestic abuse intervention programs across the state, to study
similar programs in other states to determine responsible, evidence-based best practices in
the field of domestic abuse intervention, and to report to its findings and recommendations
relative to the development of minimum standards for domestic abuse intervention programs
in this state.