Georgia § 19-13-34 - Powers and duties of commission.

§ 19-13-34. Powers and duties of commission.

The commission shall have the following duties: To study and evaluate the needs, priorities, programs, policies, and accessibility of services relating to family violence throughout this state; To evaluate and monitor the adequacy and effectiveness of existing family violence laws, including the response of the present civil and criminal legal systems; To initiate and coordinate the development of family violence legislation, as necessary; To monitor the implementation and enforcement of laws, regulations, and protocols concerning family violence; To make recommendations for education and training to ensure that all citizens and service providers, including but not limited to members of the judiciary, law enforcement personnel, and prosecuting attorneys, are aware of needs relating to family violence and of services available; To develop models for community task forces on family violence; To provide training and continuing education on the dynamics of family violence to members of the commission where appropriate and necessary; To report annually to the General Assembly during its existence; and To develop standards to be utilized by the Department of Community Supervision in the certification and regulation of family violence intervention programs. The commission shall have the following powers: To write and disseminate reports and recommendations concerning family violence to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the community; To accept public or private grants, devises, and bequests; To enter into all contracts or agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties; and To hold meetings and public hearings and to conduct studies, collect data, or take any other action the commission deems necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. (Code 1981, § 19-13-34 , enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 1810, § 1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1435, § 5; Ga. L. 2015, p. 422, § 5-49/HB 310.) Editor's notes. - Ga. L. 2015, p. 422, § 6-1/HB 310, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that the amendment by this Act shall apply to sentences entered on or after July 1, 2015. Law reviews. - For article on the 2015 amendment of this Code section, see 32 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 231 (2015). For note on the 2002 amendment of this Code section, see 19 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 142 (2002).