WHEREAS, in the State of Delaware, during calendar year 2003, 27,776 domestic violence incidents were reported; and

WHEREAS, in the State of Delaware, during 2003, 2,851 Protection from Abuse Orders were issued; and

WHEREAS, in the State of Delaware, during 2003, 4,008 calls were received through the domestic violence hotline; and

WHEREAS, in the State of Delaware, during 2003, 547 women received services in domestic violence shelters; and

WHEREAS, there is a growing national trend to establish Family Justice Centers, such as the one in the City of San Diego, California; and

WHEREAS, in 2004 the Office of Violence Against Women awarded grants to the states of California, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, New York, New Mexico, Indiana, Oklahoma, Idaho to establish such Family Justice Centers; and

WHEREAS it is important for the State of Delaware to provide domestic violence victims the ability to access services within the criminal justice system in a safe and secure location; and

WHEREAS, a Family Justice Center can ensure a victim’s access to advocates, on-site judicial services, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, probation officers, legal representation, employment services, and counselors under one roof; and

WHEREAS, Family Justice Centers ease the economic and emotional burdens of domestic violence victims by offering them a safer, more efficient and effective way to obtain services;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 143^rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that a Family Justice Center Task Force be established to review the feasibility of implementing a Family Justice Center.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall be comprised of the following members:

1. The Chair of the Criminal Justice Council, who shall serve as chair;

2. One member of the State Senate to be appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore;

3. One Member of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

4. The State of Delaware Budget Director or designee;

5. The Chief Magistrate of the Justice of the Peace Court or designee;

6. The Chief Judge of Family Court or designee;

7. The Attorney General or designee;

8. The Chair of the Violence Against Women Act Implementation Committee;

9. The Chair of the Child Protection Accountability Commission;

10. The Mayor of the City of Wilmington or his designee;

11. The Chief of Police for the City of Wilmington or an officer designee;

12. The Domestic Violence Coordinator of the City of Wilmington Police Department Victim Services Unit;

13. The Director of the Division of Social Services of the Department of Health and Social Services or designee;

14. The Commissioner of Department of Correction or designee;

15. The Executive Director of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence;

16. The Chief of Police for the New Castle County Police Department or an officer designee;

17. The Director of Victim Services for New Castle Police or a designee;

18. The Executive Director of the Latin American Community Center;

19. The Executive Vice President of CHILD, Inc.;

20. The Director of the Delaware State Police Department’s Victim Service Unit;

21. The Superintendent of the State Police or an officer designee;

22. The Chair of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council or designee;

23. The Director of the Division of Family Services;

24. The Executive Director of the Urban League or designee;

25. Member of the clergy appointed by the Governor;

26. Chair of the Domestic Violence Task Force;

27. Chair of the Victims’ Rights Task Force;

28. Chair of the Abuse Intervention Committee;

29. The Executive Director of Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.; and

30. The Executive Director for the Delaware Volunteer Legal Services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and the Criminal Justice Council will provide staff support for the Task Force.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall:

1. Convene a meeting within 30 days following the date this resolution is passed; and

2. No later than October 31, 2005, prepare a report to the General Assembly:

a. analyzing the feasibility of establishing a Family Justice Center;

b. explaining the potential consequences to establishing a Family Justice Center;

c. defining the parameters of those victims eligible to be served in a Family Justice Center;

d. identifying services the Task Force determines as critical for inclusion;

e. identifying a location for the establishment of a Family Justice Center;

f. providing a cost projections and action plan to implement a Family Justice Center;

SPONSOR:	Sen. Blevins & Sen. Sorenson & Rep. Hudson