(a) There is established a Family Violence Model Policy Governing Council for the purpose of (1) evaluating policies and procedures used by law enforcement agencies when responding to incidents of family violence and violations of restraining orders and protective orders, (2) reviewing and updating the model law enforcement policy on family violence for the state established in § 46b-38b, and (3) evaluating the accuracy of data collected by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection under § 46b-38d and the Court Support Services Division under § 46b-38f.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 46b-38j

  • domestic violence: means : (1) A continuous threat of present physical pain or physical injury against a family or household member, as defined in §. See Connecticut General Statutes 46b-1
  • Majority leader: see Floor Leaders
  • Minority leader: See Floor Leaders
  • President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
  • Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
  • Victim advocate: work with prosecutors and assist the victims of a crime.

(b) The council shall consist of the following members:

(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;

(3) One municipal police officer with experience in domestic violence training, appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;

(4) One victim of domestic violence, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(7) One appointed by the Governor;

(8) One representative of the Police Officer Standards and Training Council with experience in domestic violence training, appointed by the chairperson of the council;

(9) One representative of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, appointed by the Chief State’s Attorney;

(10) One representative of the Office of the Chief Public Defender, appointed by the Chief Public Defender;

(11) One representative of the Office of the Victim Advocate, appointed by the Victim Advocate;

(12) One representative of the Division of State Police with experience in domestic violence training, and one commanding officer in the Division of State Police, each appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection;

(13) One judge of the Superior Court assigned to hear criminal matters, appointed by the Chief Court Administrator;

(14) One victim of domestic violence, one victim advocate with courtroom experience in domestic violence matters and one representative of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc., each appointed by the executive director of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc.;

(15) One representative of the legal aid programs in Connecticut, appointed by the executive director of the Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut; and

(16) One representative of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, appointed by the president of the association.

(c) Any member of the council appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.

(d) All members of said council shall be appointed on or before July 1, 2012, and quadrennially thereafter, to serve for a term of four years. Any member may be reappointed, and any member may continue to serve until such member’s successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(e) The members of the council shall select two chairpersons of the council from among the members of the council. Said chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the council, which shall be held not later than sixty days after June 8, 2012.

(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety shall serve as administrative staff of the council.

(g) Not later than January 15, 2013, and annually thereafter, the council shall submit a report in accordance with § 11-4a to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary and public safety regarding the effectiveness of the model law enforcement policy on family violence for the state established in § 46b-38b and identifying any amendments to such model policy adopted during the prior calendar year.