HB5801eng 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5801 Engrossed LRB095 15912 AJO 41921 b

AN ACT concerning civil law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 is amended by adding Article V as follows:

(750 ILCS 60/Art. V heading new)

ARTICLE V

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

TRAINING AND PROTOCOLS

(750 ILCS 60/501 new)

Sec. 501. Domestic violence training and protocols.

(a) Circuit judges and associate judges assigned to domestic violence cases, as defined in paragraph (3) of Section 103 of this Act, shall participate in domestic violence training. The training shall be developed and administered by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

(b) The Office of the State's Attorney shall develop or update existing protocols to educate victims of domestic violence requesting the issuance of orders of protection.

(c) The Office of the State's Attorney shall:

(1) refer each victim of a domestic violence offense to individualized support and advocacy;

(2) develop additional techniques and protocols that will enhance Assistant State's Attorneys in prosecuting domestic violence cases;

(3) develop protocols to facilitate early identification of individuals with the propensity to commit escalating violence;

(4) refer victims of domestic violence to accessible civil legal services; and

(5) refer victims of domestic violence to such services that provide counseling, shelter, day care, or emergency financial assistance.

(d) All domestic violence protocols to be developed or updated pursuant to this Section shall incorporate applicable best practices, principals and guidelines of the most current domestic violence protocol developed for law enforcement, prosecution and the judiciary by the Illinois Criminal Justice and Information Authority.