House of Representatives

HB 2439

appropriations; domestic violence

Sponsors: Representatives Somers Loredo Binder, et al.

dpa	Committee on Human Services
DPA	Committee on Appropriations
DPA	Caucus and COW	This bill as transmitted to the Governor contains an Appropriation clause.
x	As Transmitted to the Governor

HB 2439 amends the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Plan Task Force (Task Force) by adding a gubernatorially appointed representative of the sexual assault medical community and two city prosecutors to the Task Force, requiring a separate consolidated state plan for sexual assault issues, adding various criteria to be included in each consolidated plan and including an additional planning process. Additionally, HB 2439 appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund in each of FYs 2001-02 and 2002‑03 to the Department of Economic Security, Community Services Administration for domestic violence victims and their children.

Provisions

· Adds a representative of the sexual assault medical community, appointed by the governor, to the Task Force.

· Adds two city prosecutors as described to the Task Force, appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.

· Requires that the Task Force develop a separate consolidated plan to address sexual assault issues. Currently the Task Force is charged with developing a single consolidated plan which exists for both domestic violence and sexual assault issues.

· Stipulates that in addition to a list of requirements, each plan shall include:

· A statewide policy on the subject of the plan.

· A process to evaluate different facets of the systemic response system.

· An analysis of impacts on tribal nations, rural Arizona and unserved/underserved populations.

· A mechanism to facilitate an evaluation of components of the program.

· Stipulates that each planning process shall include:

· Statewide public hearings.

· Facilitation of focus groups, to include victims and members of the systemic response system, which shall be conducted in rural, urban and tribal areas.

· Comprehensive research regarding best practices, system evaluation and funding methods.

· Review and incorporation of existing plans.

· Recommendations for a standardized method of collection of statistical data from the systemic response system.

· Extends the date by which the Task Force must report from December 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002.

· Appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund in each of FYs 2001-02 and 2002-03 to the Community Services Administration of DES for existing, emerging and expanding emergency residential, transitional and other legal programs for domestic violence victims and their children.

· Stipulates that the Community Services Administration of DES shall consult a statewide coalition against domestic violence in order to establish program priorities for the monies.

· Divides the $500,000 to be dispersed each fiscal year as follows:

· $300,000 to provide emergency residential shelter and related services for domestic violence victims and their children, pursuant to statute.

· $200,000 for civil legal assistance for domestic violence victims.

· Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.

· Extends the delayed repeal date of the Task Force from June 30, 2001 to July 31, 2003.

· Makes technical and conforming changes.

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45th Legislature

First Regular Session 3 May 8, 2001

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