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 (http://bit.ly/xwr23O) Harrod
said the bill would set uniform standards for the programs and
ensure the same level of service across Kansas.