65H-2.014. Definitions

For the purposes of this rule chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Assessment” means a psychosocial evaluation to determine if an individual is a batterer as defined in subsection (3) of this rule and engages in dynamics of power and control, including coercion. Assessment also includes an evaluation of an individual’s competency to consent to treatment, patterns of a co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse, as well as clinically significant neurological deficits, that necessitate referrals to treatment or other programs prior to or concurrent with participation in a batterers’ intervention program.

(2) “Assessor” means a person who performs the psychosocial assessment of individuals who have been referred to a certified batterers’ intervention program and who meets the qualifications set forth in this rule chapter.

(3) “Batterer” means a perpetrator of domestic violence, as defined in Section 741.28(2) F.S., or dating violence, as defined in Section 784.046(1)(d), F.S.

(4) “Batterers’ Intervention Program” means a 29-week program certified pursuant to this rule chapter that addresses the perpetration of violence by an intimate partner, spouse, ex-spouse, or a person who shares a child in common or who is a cohabitant in an intimate relationship for the purpose of exercising power and control by one over the other.

(5) “Certification” means a process of satisfying the requirements and minimum standards as set forth in this rule chapter and Section 741.325, F.S. for a certified batterers’ intervention program.

(6) “Change of ownership” means an event in which the Provider sells or otherwise transfers its ownership to a different individual or entity as evidenced by a change in federal employer identification number or taxpayer identification number; or, an event in which 51 percent or more of the ownership, shares, membership, or controlling interest of a Provider is in any manner transferred or otherwise assigned. A change solely in the management company or board of directors is not a change of ownership.

(7) “Coercive control” means a pattern of domination that includes tactics to isolate, degrade, exploit, and control the victim.

(8) “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Model” (CBT) means a therapeutic intervention that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems whereby participants can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behavior.

(9) “Curriculum” means the Department-approved educational content for a certified batterers’ intervention program.

(10) “Dating Violence” as defined in Section 784.046(1)(d), F.S.

(11) “Department” means the Florida Department of Children and Families.

(12) “Direct service staff” means the on-site director responsible for the day-to-day operation of a certified batterers’ intervention program, and individuals who are employed or contracted by a provider to conduct orientation, facilitate groups, or conduct assessments.

(13) “Domestic Violence” as defined in Section 741.28(2), F.S.

(14) “Equality Wheel” means a graphically designed tool that illustrates the dynamics of an equal, violence-free partnership.

(15) “Facilitator” means a group leader for a certified batterers’ intervention program.

(16) “Groups” means two or more participants attending interactive sessions with designated facilitators who manage discourse and topics of discussion.

(17) “Monitoring” means a process of reviewing the administrative and programmatic components of a certified batterers’ intervention program to ensure compliance with minimum standards as set forth in rule and statute.

(18) “Office of Domestic Violence” (ODV) means the Department’s office responsible for the oversight of certification and monitoring of batterers’ intervention programs.

(19) “Participant” means an individual:

(a) Who is adjudged to have committed a criminal act of domestic violence as defined in Section 741.28, F.S., or dating violence as defined by Section 784.046, F.S.,

(b) Against whom a final injunction for protection against domestic violence or dating violence is entered,

(c) Who is referred by the Department, or

(d) Who volunteers to attend a program after committing an act of domestic violence or dating violence.

(20) “Power and Control Model” means intervention that recognizes domestic violence where one partner in an intimate relationship systematically uses tactics of emotional and physical abuse in order to maintain power and control over the other.

(21) “Power and Control Wheel” means a graphically designed tool that illustrates the tactics of abusive behaviors used by batterers to establish and maintain control over their partners.

(22) “Provider” means the owner and/or operator of a certified batterers’ intervention program.

(23) “Psychoeducational Model” means a psychotherapeutic intervention that utilizes a critical thinking program model and structured didactic interventions with batterers.

(24) “Victim” means an intimate partner, spouse, ex-spouse or one who shares a child in common or who is a cohabitant in an intimate relationship against whom the batterer has perpetrated an act of domestic or dating violence for the purpose of exercising power and control.

Rulemaking Authority 741.327 FS. Law Implemented 741.32, 741.325, 741.327 FS. History‒New 9-4-22.