June 26, 2024

In early 2017, California Assembly Member Mark Stone introduced AB 372 to help advance domestic violence batterer intervention programs. The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) co-sponsored this legislation which allowed six counties (Napa, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Yolo) to pilot alternative interventions, focusing on creating the opportunity for change to stop future incidents of domestic violence. CSAC, with the support of the Blue Shield of California Foundation, embarked on supporting these critical efforts as part of the CSAC Initiative on Improving Domestic Violence Programs and Systems. As part of this work, we now aim to discuss information and ideas around modernizing the business model for domestic violence treatment.

People convicted of domestic violence charges are subject to several terms and conditions designed to ensure the safety of survivors, hold convicted individuals accountable, and encourage behavior change. The terms and conditions include a batterers intervention program designed to reduce future domestic violence events and change attitudes and behaviors. These BIPs include a fee borne by the person convicted, also known as the “offender pays model,” that may contribute to lower engagement and completion rates of these programs.

This brief explores a review of various California counties, leverages information from the pilot implementation of AB 372, and offers policymakers ideas of pathways forward to continue improving a stagnant domestic violence model.

View the full report or contact Ryan Souza, Project Director, at RSouza@counties.org to learn about additional activities within the CSAC Initiative on Improving Domestic Violence Programs and Systems.