§842.5. Domestic Violence Intervention Court Pilot Program; Nineteenth Judicial District Court

            A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that domestic violence remains a significant public safety and public health issue in this state. Traditional sentencing models have not sufficiently reduced recidivism among domestic violence offenders. Evidence-based intervention courts that combine judicial supervision with treatment, accountability, and victim safety planning have demonstrated improved outcomes. Post-adjudication domestic violence courts promote victim safety, offender accountability, reduced recidivism, and coordinated community response. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to establish a two-year pilot Domestic Violence Intervention Court within the Nineteenth Judicial District Court to evaluate effectiveness and to determine feasibility for a statewide expansion.

            B.(1) There is hereby established a two-year pilot program known as the Domestic Violence Intervention Court, referred to in this Section as the "DVIC", within the Nineteenth Judicial District Court.

            (2) The DVIC shall operate as a post-adjudication specialty court for eligible defendants convicted of misdemeanor or felony offenses including but not limited to second degree battery, aggravated battery, and other domestic abuse-related offenses.

            (3) Participation in the program is voluntary. A defendant may consult with legal counsel prior to entering a guilty plea and being sentenced to the DVIC. Participation shall be ordered as a special condition of probation to be completed in addition to all other conditions of probation in accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 893 et seq. Participants shall be subject to the supervision and authority of the DVIC presiding judge. The presiding judge may, at any time during the probationary period, impose additional conditions of probation as authorized by Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 893 et seq. Final eligibility to participate in the program shall be determined by the presiding judge of the DVIC.

            C.(1) Eligible participants include defendants who are convicted of domestic abuse-related offenses and assessed as at-risk of reoffending using validated risk assessment tools.

            (2) Participants shall do all of the following:

            (a) Appear regularly before the court.

            (b) Comply with individualized case plans.

            (c) Be subject to graduated sanctions and incentives.

            D. The DVIC shall provide all of the following:

            (1) Batterer intervention programming that includes the following components:

            (a) A nationally recognized, evidence-based, cognitive behavioral therapy model specifically designed for domestic abuse.

            (b) The Stop, Take a step back, Observe, Proceed mindfully (STOP) technique for screening, trauma-informed assessment, and cognitive behavioral restructuring.

            (2) Clinical assessment and individualized treatment planning.

            (3) Substance abuse screening and referral when appropriate.

            (4) Mental health screening and referral.

            (5) Employment readiness assistance.

            (6) Housing and transportation assistance.

            (7) Case management services, including compliance monitoring and coordination with probation.

            E.(1) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as requiring a victim's participation in the DVIC. All services are voluntary and available to the victim regardless of participation status. The rights and services available to victims are in addition to those rights as defined in R.S. 46:1844 et seq. The DVIC shall prioritize victim safety in all phases of participation.

            (2) Victims participating in the DVIC shall be provided with the following services and protections:

            (a) A victim services advocate prior to a defendant entering the DVIC to assist with representation, services, and other assistance as required by the victim.

            (b) Notification of all court proceedings and compliance statuses.

            (c) Attendance of the victim services advocate at court proceedings to provide information if the victim is unable or unwilling to attend in person but wishes to have matters addressed by the court.

            (d) Safety planning information and referrals to community-based organizations.

            (e) Information regarding local domestic violence shelters.

            (f) Trauma-informed support services.

            (g) An award of restitution, when applicable.

            (h) Authorization to request GPS monitoring of the defendant, when applicable.

            F. The DVIC shall operate with a coordinated team, including but not limited to the following:

            (1) The presiding judge.

            (2) The district attorney.

            (3) The public defender.

            (4) A probation officer.

            (5) A clinical provider.

            (6) A program coordinator.

            (7) A case manager.

            (8) A victim services advocate.

            G.(1) The program shall collect data including all of the following:

            (a) Recidivism rates.

            (b) Program completion rates.

            (c) Compliance with protective orders.

            (d) Victim safety indicators.

            (2) An independent evaluator shall conduct annual and final evaluations of participants.

            (3) A report shall be submitted by the Nineteenth Judicial District Court to the legislature and the Louisiana Supreme Court at the conclusion of the two-year pilot program.

            H. The pilot program authorized by this Section shall be effective for a period of two years unless extended by the legislature.

            Acts 2026, No. 696, §1.