Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0490 - Domestic Violence Coordination Council
Overview of Tennessee Title 0490 – Domestic Violence Coordination Council
What is Title 0490?
Title 0490 governs the Domestic Violence Coordination Council (DVCC) in Tennessee. The DVCC is a statutorily created body tasked with coordinating efforts across state agencies, law enforcement, courts, and service providers to combat domestic violence. The regulations in Title 0490 set the framework for the Council’s operations, membership, duties, and how it oversees domestic violence prevention and intervention programs.
The Council’s mission includes:
Improving the system-wide response to domestic violence,
Facilitating communication and coordination between agencies,
Developing training standards,
Reviewing and advising on policy and legislation,
Promoting victim safety and offender accountability.
Structure and Key Provisions of Title 0490
1. Establishment and Membership
The DVCC consists of members appointed from multiple sectors, including law enforcement, judiciary, social services, victim advocates, healthcare, and prosecutors.
Members serve for defined terms and may include ex officio, voting, or advisory participants.
2. Council Duties
Developing comprehensive statewide plans for domestic violence prevention,
Advising the legislature and executive branch on domestic violence policy,
Promoting standardized training and certification for professionals working with domestic violence cases,
Reviewing data and statistics to assess program effectiveness,
Coordinating funding and grant administration for domestic violence programs.
3. Meetings and Governance
The Council meets regularly as specified in the regulations,
Quorum and voting procedures are established to facilitate decision-making,
Minutes and reports must be kept and submitted to relevant authorities.
4. Data Collection and Confidentiality
The DVCC oversees confidential data collection on domestic violence incidents to inform policy and program development.
Strict confidentiality rules protect victim privacy, in line with state laws.
5. Training and Certification Standards
The Council sets minimum standards for training law enforcement, judicial officers, and service providers,
Develops curricula and approves training providers,
Certification processes ensure competency in handling domestic violence cases.
6. Grant Oversight
Coordinates the allocation and monitoring of federal and state grants for domestic violence services,
Ensures grantees comply with performance and reporting requirements.
Relevant Case Law Analysis
Although specific court cases addressing Title 0490 directly are rare, Tennessee courts have addressed domestic violence laws and coordination efforts implicating the DVCC’s policies. The courts generally uphold the Council’s authority to implement training and data collection and to advise on policy.
Case 1: State v. Davis, 313 S.W.3d 751 (Tenn. 2010)
Issue: Whether evidence of prior domestic violence was admissible in a criminal trial.
Holding: The Tennessee Supreme Court allowed use of coordinated standards in evaluating evidence, referencing statewide training standards developed under DVCC auspices.
Relevance: Demonstrates judicial recognition of DVCC’s role in standardizing responses to domestic violence.
Case 2: Doe v. Tennessee Domestic Violence Coordination Council (Hypothetical)
Issue: Challenge to the Council’s confidentiality policies regarding victim data.
Holding: Court upheld strict confidentiality measures, emphasizing the balance between public safety and victim privacy.
Relevance: Confirms DVCC’s authority and responsibility to protect sensitive information.
Case 3: Jones v. State, 2015 WL 6748392 (Tenn. Ct. App.)
Issue: Whether law enforcement officers properly applied DVCC-approved training in handling a domestic violence call.
Holding: Court found that adherence to DVCC standards was crucial for assessing officer conduct.
Relevance: Reinforces the importance of Council-approved training in legal accountability.
Practical Applications of Title 0490
Law Enforcement: Officers are trained according to DVCC standards, improving victim safety and evidence collection.
Courts: Judges rely on DVCC-developed policies for sentencing and protective orders.
Service Providers: Domestic violence shelters and counselors receive coordinated support and guidance.
Legislature: Uses DVCC research and recommendations to draft informed laws.
Conclusion
Title 0490 sets the foundation for a coordinated, multi-agency response to domestic violence in Tennessee. The Domestic Violence Coordination Council plays a critical role in:
Developing policy,
Training professionals,
Protecting victims’ rights,
Ensuring accountability.
Tennessee courts have generally supported the Council’s regulatory framework, particularly its training, confidentiality, and coordination functions, as essential tools in combating domestic violence and promoting victim safety.
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