,i  #aac? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #cic  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(            
,,repres5tatives  ,janu>y #bc1 #bjac    
,mr4 ,honda introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i*
 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y
  ,a ,,bill  ,to consolidate1 improve1 &
 reau?orize programs t support families 
& victims 9 ! ju/ice sy/em affect$ by   
dome/ic viol5ce4  #a4 ,%ort title2      
,f9d+s  7a7 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be
 cit$ z ! ,dome/ic ,viol5ce ,judicial   
,support ,act ( #bjac4  7b7 ,f9d+s ,!   
,congress f9ds z foll[s3  7#a7 ,! #bjaj 
,national ,survey by ! ,c5t]s = ,disease
 ,control & ,prev5tion f\nd t #a 9 #d   
wom5 h be5 ! victim ( sev]e physical    
viol5ce by an intimate p>tn]1 :ile #a 9 
#g m5 exp]i5c$ sev]e physical viol5ce by
 an intimate p>tn]4 ,female victims (   
intimate p>tn] viol5ce exp]i5c$ diff]5t 
patt]ns ( viol5ce ?an male victims4     
,female victims exp]i5c$ multiple =ms ( 
^! types ( viol5ce2 male victims mo/ (t5
 exp]i5c$ physical viol5ce4  7#b7 ,a    
critical issue 9 dome/ic viol5ce cases  

is ! risk ( cont9u$ victimization dur+ !
 pretrial p]iod4 ,(f5d]s may violate    
no-contact ord]s1 fur!r injure victims1 
or intimidate !m4 ,su* occurr5ces       
highlight a critical ne$ = effici5cy 9  
c\rt proce$+s4  7#c7 ,( #c1gej intimate 
p>tn] viol5ce cases fil$ 9 ,/ate c\rts 9
 #af l>ge urban c\nties 9 #bjjb1 *ildr5 
7 pres5t dur+ ! viol5t incid5t 9 #cf    
p]c5t ( ! cases4 ,( ^? *ildr5 :o 7      
pres5t1 #fj p]c5t directly witness$ !   
viol5ce4 ,c\rt collection ( in=mation & 
/ati/ics relat$ to *ildr5 :o witness$ a 
viol5t incid5t betwe5 intimate p>tn]s   
assi/s c\rts 9 id5tify+ *ildr5 9 ne$ (  
s]vices z a result ( su* an incid5t4    
7#d7 ,dome/ic viol5ce cases involv+     
sp\ses & o!r intimate p>tn]s (t5 entail 
complex processes t require c>eful      
consid]ation by ! crim9al ju/ice sy/em4 
,9 ! #aiijs1 _m jurisdictions began to  
create specializ$ dome/ic viol5ce c\rts 
= judges to ensure foll[-?r\gh on cases1
 aid dome/ic viol5ce victims1 & hold    
(f5d]s acc\ntable1 ) ! assi/ance (      

ju/ice & social s]vice ag5cies4 ,by     
specializ+ 9 dome/ic viol5ce (f5ses1 ^! 
c\rts aim to process cases m effici5tly 
& deliv] m consi/5t rul+s ab\t dome/ic  
viol5ce /atutes4 ,"s dome/ic viol5ce    
c\rts also incorporate a /rong] focus on
 rehabilitation ( (f5d]s & det]r5ce (   
repeat (f5ses4 ,^! c\rts c also be m    
s5sitive to ! ne$s ( victims & be able  
to direct victims to additional         
community res\rces4  7#e7 ,"o-?ird (    
viol5t felony def5dants 9 ,/ate crim9al 
c\rts h be5 *>g$ ) dome/ic viol5ce4     
7#f7 ,te5 dat+ viol5ce cases are be/    
h&l$ by c\rts :o h _h ! tra9+ to make   
in=m$ decisions & h ! res\rces to make  
s]vices available1 on-site & 9 !        
community1 includ+--  7,a7 c\nsel+2     
7,b7 victim witness s]vices2  7,c7      
assi/ance ) civil re/ra9+ ord]s1        
pat]nity det]m9ations1 cu/ody & access  
ord]s1 & *ild support ord]s2 &  7,d7    
locat+ o!r assi/ance ne$$ by te5        
victims4  7#g7 ,!re are m ?an #djj1jjj  
*ildr5 9 fo/] c>e 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4    

,congress has *>g$ juv5ile c\rts )      
ov]sight ( *ild welf>e cases4 ,highly   
tra9$ & engag$ judges focus$ on         
effective case ov]sight & sy/em re=m h  
be5 %[n to save significant fo/] c>e    
co/s = ! ,/ates4  7#h7 ,a #bjji /udy by 
! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice f\nd t ,k5tucky   
sav$ #he1jjj1jjj 9 "o ye> ?r\gh !       
issuance ( protection ord]s & ! r$uction
 9 viol5ce result+ f ! issuance ( su*   
ord]s4 ,examples su* z ?is are preval5t 
across ! ,nation4  7#i7 ,*ildr5 ) a     
,c\rt ,appo9t$ ,special ,advocate       
volunte] exp]i5ce few] out ( home       
placem5ts1 are less likely to age out ( 
fo/] c>e )\t a p]man5t home1 & h        
significantly improv$ education         
p]=mance1 comp>$ to _! pe]s )\t a       
volunte] advocate4  7#aj7 ,by r$uc+     
long-t]m fo/] c>e placem5ts1 subsequ5t  
victimization1 & re5try into ! fo/] c>e 
sy/em1 ! ,c\rt ,appo9t$ ,special        
,advocate program sub/antially r$uces   
*ild welf>e co/s4  #b4 ,consolidation ( 
grants to support families & victims 9 !

 ju/ice sy/em  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,title ,,iii
 ( division ,b ( ! ,victims ( ,traffick+
 & ,viol5ce ,protection ,act ( #bjjj    
7,public ,law #ajf-chf2 #aad ,/at4      
#aeji7 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! section      
prec$+ section #acjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajdbj71 z am5d$ by section #cjf ( !    
,viol5ce ,aga9/ ,wom5 & ,dep>tm5t (     
,ju/ice ,reau?orization ,act ( #bjje    
7,public ,law #aji-afb2 #aai ,/at4      
#caf71 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  #acja4 ,c\rt 
tra9+ & sup]vis$ visitation improvem5ts 
7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,attorney ,g5]al may    
make grants to ,/ates1 units ( local    
gov]nm5t1 c\rts 7includ+ juv5ile c\rts71
 ,indian tribal gov]nm5ts1 nonpr(it     
organizations1 legal s]vices provid]s1 &
 victim s]vices provid]s to improve !   
response ( all aspects ( ! civil &      
crim9al ju/ice sy/em to families &      
victims ) a hi/ory ( dome/ic viol5ce1   
dat+ viol5ce1 sexual assault1 or /alk+1 
or 9 cases involv+ allegations ( *ild   
sexual abuse4  7b7 ,use ( funds ,a grant
 "u ?is section may be us$ to--  7#a7   

provide sup]vis$ visitation & safe      
visitation ex*ange ( *ildr5 & y\? by &  
betwe5 p>5ts 9 situations involv+       
dome/ic viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 *ild     
sexual abuse1 sexual assault1 or /alk+2 
7#b7 develop & promote ,/ate1 local1 &  
tribal legislation1 policies1 & be/     
practices = improv+ civil & crim9al c\rt
 functions1 responses1 practices1 &     
proc$ures 9 cases involv+ a hi/ory (    
dome/ic viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual   
assault1 or /alk+1 or 9 cases involv+   
allegations ( *ild sexual abuse1 includ+
 cases 9 :i* ! victim proce$s pro se2   
7#c7 educate c\rt-bas$ & c\rt-relat$    
p]sonnel 7includ+ cu/ody evaluators &   
gu>dians ad litem7 & *ild protective    
s]vices work]s on ! dynamics ( dome/ic  
viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual assault   
7includ+ *ild sexual abuse71 & /alk+1   
includ+ in=mation on p]petrator         
behavior1 evid5ce-bas$ risk factors =   
dome/ic & dat+ viol5ce homicide1 & on   
issues relat+ to ! ne$s ( victims1      
includ+ safety1 security1 privacy1 &    

confid5tiality1 includ+ cases 9 :i* !   
victim proce$s pro se2  7#d7 provide    
appropriate res\rces 9 juv5ile c\rt     
matt]s to respond to dat+ viol5ce1      
dome/ic viol5ce1 sexual assault 7includ+
 *ild sexual abuse71 & /alk+ & ensure   
necess>y s]vices deal+ ) ! heal? & m5tal
 heal? ( victims are available2  7#e7   
enable c\rts or c\rt-bas$ or c\rt-relat$
 programs to develop or enhance--  7,a7 
c\rt infra/ructure 7su* z specializ$    
c\rts1 consolidat$ c\rts1 dockets1      
intake c5t]s1 or int]pret] s]vices72    
7,b7 community-bas$ initiatives )9 !    
c\rt sy/em 7su* z c\rt wat* programs1   
victim assi/ants1 pro se victim         
assi/ance programs1 or community-bas$   
supplem5t>y s]vices72  7,c7 (f5d]       
managem5t1 monitor+1 & acc\ntability    
programs2  7,d7 safe & confid5tial      
in=mation-/orage & in=mation-%>+        
databases )9 & betwe5 c\rt sy/ems2  7,e7
 education & outrea* programs to improve
 community access1 includ+ enhanc$      
access = und]s]v$ populations2 &  7,f7  

o!r projects likely to improve c\rt     
responses to dome/ic viol5ce1 dat+      
viol5ce1 sexual assault1 & /alk+2  7#f7 
provide civil legal assi/ance & advocacy
 s]vices1 includ+ legal in=mation &     
res\rces 9 cases 9 :i* ! victim proce$s 
pro se1 to--  7,a7 victims ( dome/ic    
viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual assault1  
or /alk+2 &  7,b7 non(f5d+ p>5ts 9      
matt]s--  7i7 t involve allegations (   
*ild sexual abuse2  7ii7 t relate to    
family matt]s1 includ+ civil protection 
ord]s1 cu/ody1 & divorce2 &  7iii7 9 :i*
 ! o!r p>5t is repres5t$ by c\nsel2     
7#g7 collect data & provide tra9+ &     
te*nical assi/ance1 includ+ develop+    
,/ate1 local1 & tribal model codes &    
policies1 to improve ! capacity (       
grantees & communities to address !     
civil & crim9al ju/ice ne$s ( victims ( 
dome/ic viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual   
assault1 & /alk+ :o h legal             
repres5tation1 :o are proce$+ pro se1 or
 are proce$+ ) ! assi/ance ( a legal    
advocate2 &  7#h7 improve tra9+ &       

education to assi/ judges1 judicial     
p]sonnel1 attorneys1 *ild welf>e        
p]sonnel1 & legal advocates 9 ! civil1  
crim9al1 & juv5ile ju/ice sy/ems4  7c7  
,consid]ations  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 mak+   
grants = purposes describ$ 9 p>agraphs  
7#a7 ?r\gh 7#g7 ( subsection 7b71 !     
,attorney ,g5]al %all consid]--  7,a7 ! 
numb] ( families & victims to be s]v$ by
 ! propos$ programs & s]vices2  7,b7 !  
ext5t to :i* ! propos$ programs &       
s]vices s]ve und]s]v$ populations2  7,c7
 ! ext5t to :i* ! applicant demon/rates 
coop]ation & collaboration ) nonpr(it1  
nongov]nm5tal entities 9 ! local        
community ) demon/rat$ hi/ories (       
effective "w on dome/ic viol5ce1 dat+   
viol5ce1 sexual assault1 or /alk+1      
includ+ ,/ate or tribal dome/ic viol5ce 
coalitions1 ,/ate or tribal sexual      
assault coalitions1 local %elt]s1 &     
programs = dome/ic viol5ce & sexual     
assault victims2 &  7,d7 ! ext5t to :i* 
! applicant demon/rates coord9ation &   
collaboration ) ,/ate1 tribal1 & local  

c\rt sy/ems1 includ+ me*anisms =        
communication & ref]ral4  7#b7 ,o!r     
grants ,9 mak+ grants "u p>agraph 7#h7 (
 subsection 7b71 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all
 consid] ! ext5t to :i* ! applicant has 
exp]i5ce provid+ tra9+1 education1 or   
o!r assi/ance to ! judicial sy/em relat$
 to family viol5ce1 *ild cu/ody1 *ild   
abuse & neglect1 adoption1 fo/] c>e1    
sup]vis$ visitation1 divorce1 & p>5tage4
  7d7 ,applicant requirem5ts ,!         
,attorney ,g5]al may make a grant "u ?is
 section to an applicant t--  7#a7      
demon/rates exp]tise 9 ! areas ( dome/ic
 viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual assault1 
/alk+1 or *ild sexual abuse1 z          
appropriate2  7#b7 ensures t any fees   
*>g$ to individuals = use ( sup]vis$    
visitation programs & s]vices are bas$  
on ! income ( ^? individuals1 unless    
o!rwise provid$ by c\rt ord]2  7#c7 = a 
c\rt-bas$ program1 c]tifies t victims ( 
dome/ic viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual   
assault1 or /alk+ are n *>g$ fees or any
 o!r co/s relat$ to ! fil+1 petition+1  

modify+1 issuance1 regi/ration1         
en=cem5t1 )drawal1 or dismissal ( matt]s
 relat+ to ! dome/ic viol5ce1 dat+      
viol5ce1 sexual assault1 or /alk+2  7#d7
 demon/rates t adequate security        
measures1 includ+ adequate facilities1  
proc$ures1 & p]sonnel capable ( prev5t+ 
viol5ce1 & adequate /&>ds are1 or w be1 
9 place 7includ+ ! developm5t (         
protocols or policies to ensure t       
confid5tial in=mation is n %>$ ) c\rts1 
law en=cem5t ag5cies1 or *ild welf>e    
ag5cies unless necess>y to ensure !     
safety ( any *ild or adult us+ ! s]vices
 ( a program fund$ "u ?is section71 if !
 applicant proposes to op]ate sup]vis$  
visitation programs & s]vices or safe   
visitation ex*ange2  7#e7 c]tifies t !  
organizational policies ( ! applicant d 
n require m$iation or c\nsel+ involv+   
(f5d]s & victims be+ physically pres5t 9
 ! same place1 9 cases :]e dome/ic      
viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual assault1  
or /alk+ is alleg$2  7#f7 c]tifies t any
 p]son provid+ legal assi/ance ?r\gh a  

program fund$ "u ?is section has        
complet$ or w complete tra9+ on dome/ic 
viol5ce1 dat+ viol5ce1 sexual assault1 &
 /alk+1 includ+ *ild sexual abuse1 &    
relat$ legal issues2 &  7#g7 c]tifies t 
any p]son provid+ cu/ody evaluation or  
gu>dian ad litem s]vices ?r\gh a program
 fund$ "u ?is section has complet$ or w 
complete tra9+ develop$ ) input f & 9   
collaboration ) a tribal1 ,/ate1        
t]ritorial1 or local dome/ic viol5ce1   
dat+ viol5ce1 sexual assault1 or /alk+  
organization or coalition on ! dynamics 
( dome/ic viol5ce & sexual assault1     
includ+ *ild sexual abuse1 t includes   
tra9+ on h[ to review evid5ce ( pa/     
abuse & ! use ( evid5c$-bas$ !ories to  
make recomm5dations on cu/ody &         
visitation4  7e7 ,au?orization (        
appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be   
appropriat$ to c>ry out ?is section1    
#bb1jjj1jjj = ea* ( ! fiscal ye>s #bjad 
?r\gh #bjah4 ,am\nts appropriat$        
pursuant to ?is subsection %all rema9   
available until exp5d$4  4  #c4         

,c\rt-appo9t$ special advocate program  
,subtitle ,b ( ! ,victims ( ,*ild ,abuse
 ,act ( #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acjaa et  
seq47 is am5d$--  7#a7 9 section #baf   
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acjab71 by /rik+ ,janu>y
 #a1 #bjaj & ins]t+ ,janu>y #a1 #bjaf2  
7#b7 9 section #bag 7#db ,u4,s4,c4      
#acjac7--  7,a7 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 (    
subsection 7c77#b71 by /rik+ ,code (    
,e?ics & ins]t+ ,/&>ds = ,programs2 &   
7,b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7e7    
,report+ by grantees ,an organization t 
receives a grant "u ?is section = a     
fiscal ye> %all submit to ! ,adm9i/rator
 a report reg>d+ ! use ( ! grant = !    
fiscal ye>1 includ+ a discussion (      
outcome p]=mance measures 7:i* %all be  
e/abli%$ by ! ,adm9i/rator7 to det]m9e !
 effectiv5ess ( ! programs ( !          
organization 9 meet+ ! ne$s ( *ildr5 9 !
 *ild welf>e sy/em4  2 &  7#c7 9        
subsection 7a7 ( section #bai 7#db      
,u4,s4,c4 #acjad71 by /rik+ fiscal ye>s 
#bjjg ?r\gh #bjaa & ins]t+ ! fiscal ye>s
 #bjad ?r\gh #bjah4  #d4 ,reau?orization

 ( ! *ild abuse tra9+ programs =        
judicial p]sonnel & practition]s        
,subsection 7a7 ( section #bbd ( !      
,victims ( ,*ild ,abuse ,act ( #aiij    
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acjbd7 is am5d$ to read 
z foll[s3  7a7 ,au?orization ,!re is    
au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to c>ry out  
?is subtitle #b1cjj1jjj = ea* ( ! fiscal
 ye>s #bjad ?r\gh #bjah4  4