TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Senate is considering a bill that would require certification of programs that treat domestic violence offenders.
Under the bill, the attorney general’s office would certify and regulate the batterer intervention programs.
Advocates say many current domestic violence programs are cursory, drop-in efforts that don’t take domestic violence seriously.
Assistant Attorney General Travis Harrod said the proposed legislation follows up on a 2010 bill that established tracking of domestic violence convictions and sent offenders to batterer intervention programs. He says if batterers are not going to be sent to jail, the state needs to ensure that treatment programs are beneficial.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports Harrod said the bill would set uniform standards for the programs and ensure the same level of service across Kansas.
