43.235.020 - Coordination of review -- Authority of coordinating entity -- Regional domestic violence review panels -- Citizen requests.

Coordination of review — Authority of coordinating entity — Regional domestic violence review panels — Citizen requests.

(1) Subject to the availability of state funds, the department shall contract with an entity with expertise in domestic violence policy and education and with a statewide perspective to coordinate review of domestic violence fatalities. The coordinating entity shall be authorized to:

     (a) Convene regional review panels;

     (b) Gather information for use of regional review panels;

     (c) Provide training and technical assistance to regional review panels;

     (d) Compile information and issue biennial reports with recommendations; and

     (e) Establish a protocol that may be used as a guideline for identifying domestic violence related fatalities, forming review panels, convening reviews, and selecting which cases to review. The coordinating entity may also establish protocols for data collection and preservation of confidentiality.

     (2)(a) The coordinating entity may convene a regional domestic violence fatality review panel to review any domestic violence fatality.

     (b) Private citizens may request a review of a particular death by submitting a written request to the coordinating entity within two years of the death. Of these, the appropriate regional review panel may review those cases which fit the criteria set forth in the protocol for the project.

[2000 c 50 § 2.]