Alternative domestic violence program.

Existing law requires that the terms of probation granted to a person who has been convicted of domestic violence include, among other things, successful completion of a batterer's program or, if a batterer's program is not available, another appropriate counseling program. Existing law requires a batterer's program to be approved by the probation department and specifies the standards for approving batterer's programs. Existing law, until July 1, 2023, authorizes the Counties of Napa, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Yolo to offer an alternative program for individuals convicted of domestic violence. This bill would extend these provisions until July 1, 2026. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.