§ 19-13-15.Cooperation with State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Chapter 13. Family Violence · Article 1A. Family Violence Intervention · Last amended 2002 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-13-15
Plain-English Summary
Most family violence intervention programs in Georgia are certified under § 19-13-14. This section creates a second track. The Department of Community Supervision and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles may operate their own programs, as long as those programs meet the department’s requirements. Courts and the Board may then accept such a program in lieu of — instead of — a certified program as defined in § 19-13-10(6).
The section explains two exceptions elsewhere in the article. Section 19-13-14(c) bars department and Board officials, employees and their spouses from owning, operating, instructing at or working for a program “except as provided by Code Section 19-13-15” — that is, they may work in the agencies’ own programs. And § 19-13-14(d) exempts department- and Board-run programs from the certification fee provisions.
When a court or the Board orders someone into a program under § 19-13-16, either a certified program or one run under this section can satisfy the order. Acceptance is discretionary — the section says courts and the Board “may” accept these programs. This section has not been amended since its 2002 enactment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complete a state-run family violence program instead of a private certified one in Georgia?
Possibly. This section says courts and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles may accept programs run by the Department of Community Supervision or the Board in place of certified programs. Section 19-13-16 lets a court-ordered program be either kind. Whether a particular program satisfies your order depends on the order and the court.
Who can run a family violence intervention program without certification?
The Department of Community Supervision and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. This section lets them operate family violence intervention programs that meet the department’s requirements. Courts and the Board may accept those programs in lieu of certified programs.
Do state-run family violence programs have to meet any standards?
Yes. This section allows the department and the Board to operate only programs that meet the requirements of the department. Those programs skip the certification process but not the department’s requirements. Courts and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles may then accept them in lieu of certified family violence intervention programs.
Can Department of Community Supervision employees teach family violence programs?
In the agencies’ own programs, yes. Section 19-13-14(c) bars officials and employees of the department and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, and their spouses, from owning, operating, instructing at or working for a program, except as provided by this section. This section lets the department and the Board operate programs.
Do programs run by the department or parole board pay certification fees?
No. Under § 19-13-14(d), all programs operated by the Department of Community Supervision and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles are exempt from the fee provisions relating to obtaining certification. Other programs pay the application fee under § 19-13-11 and the administration fee under § 19-13-14(d).
Amendment History
Laws 2002, p. 1435, § 3.