Assigned to JUD & APPROP                                                                                      AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2439

 

appropriations; domestic violence

 

Purpose

 

            Expands the amount of information that the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault State Plan Task Force (task force) is required to report and extends the reporting deadline to December 2002.  Appropriates $500,000  in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 to the Department of Economic Security (DES) for emergency residential, transitional and legal programs for domestic violence victims and their children.

 

Background

 

            Laws 2000, Chapter 122 established the task force, charging it with the responsibility of developing a single statewide plan to ensure coordinated and efficient use of resources used to address domestic violence and sexual assault issues.  The plan was to identify such things as available resources, gaps in services, methods for coordinating efforts by state agencies and other organizations, and an evaluation process.

 

However, because several task force members were not appointed until October 2000, the task force was unable to complete its plan by the December 2000 deadline and is seeking an extension.  The task force indicates that the planning process will take at least a year, and H.B. 2439 extends the reporting deadline to December 2002.  In addition, the task force members identified some legislative changes that could better help them address domestic violence and sexual assault issues.  Specifically, the task force proposes completing separate plans for domestic violence and sexual assault, and expanding the information required in each plan. 

 

H.B. 2439 incorporates the task force’s recommendations for plan development. The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) reports that Department of Justice studies show the most effective assistance to prevent repeated domestic violence is legal assistance, which would be funded under this bill.  ACADV also reports that in FY 1999-2000, 16,121 women and children requesting shelter were unable to receive services due to a lack of available space.  H.B. 2439 appropriates funds for this purpose.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Adds a Governor-appointed representative of the sexual assault medical community and two city prosecutors, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the President of the Senate, to the task force.

 

 

 

2.      Requires the task force to develop two separate state plans to ensure resources are coordinated and used efficiently to address: a) domestic violence prevention, prosecution and supportive services and b) sexual assault prevention, prosecution and supportive services.  Currently, these plans are incorporated into one consolidated plan.

 

3.      Expands the types of information that must be contained in each plan to include such things as a statewide policy statement; a process for evaluating the systemic response system; and a process for evaluating domestic violence or sexual assault policies, systems and services.

 

4.      Requires that the planning process include such things as statewide public hearings, focus groups, research about best practices and funding, and recommendations for standardizing data collection.

 

5.      Extends the deadline for reporting the plans to the Legislature and Governor from December 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002.

 

6.      Appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 to the DES community services administration for existing, emerging and expanding residential, transitional and legal programs for domestic violence victims and their children.

 

7.      Requires DES to establish program priorities for funds distributed to DES after full consultation with a statewide coalition against domestic violence.

 

8.      Distributes the $500,000 for domestic violence services for each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 as follows:

 

·        $300,000 to provide emergency residential shelter and related services.

·        $200,000 to fund civil legal assistance.

 

9.      Delays repeal of the task force until July 31, 2003.

 

10.  Makes conforming and technical changes.

 

11.  Provides for a general effective date.

 

Amendments Adopted by the Judiciary Committee

 

1.      Adds two city prosecutors to the task force.

 

Amendments Adopted by the Appropriations Committee

 

1.      Eliminates appropriations to the Governor's office.

 

2.      Reduces the appropriation to DES.

 

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

 

1.      Reduces the appropriation to DES.

 

2.      Eliminates appropriations for transitional housing.

 

House Action                                                                Senate Action

 

HS                   2/6/01              DPA    10-0-0-0            JUD            3/27/01        DPA    8-0-0-0

APPROP         3/6/01              DPA    13-0-0-3            APPROP    4/18/01        DPA     9-0-3-0

3rd Read           3/14/01                        48-5-7-0            3rd Read      4/27/01                     27-2-1-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

May 1, 2001