Rule 105-3-.07. Procedure and Class Requirements

Rule 105-3-.07. Procedure and Class Requirements

1. (1) Program Intake Orientation Requirements.

   1. (a) Certified Facilitators or authorized program staff will conduct an intake orientation with candidates. The intake orientation shall not count toward the twenty-four (24) class requirement. The intake orientation must include reviewing previous incidents of abuse, identifying the source of referral, and obtaining the victim's contact information.
   2. (b) Certified Facilitators or authorized program staff shall require candidates to provide copies of any police reports (if available), protection orders, sentence or probation conditions, and any other court orders related to their case prior to starting FVIP classes.
   3. (c) Certified Facilitators or authorized program staff may not use clinical, behavioral, or mental health assessment tools to evaluate candidates for appropriateness or fitness to participate in FVIP classes. This includes intake questions that could give a diagnostic impression. This does not prohibit program staff or Facilitators from contacting the referral source when a participant may not be appropriate for FVIP. Guidance for appropriate intake assessments may be found in the Department SOP.
   4. (d) Certified Facilitators or authorized program staff may not use evaluation tools or clinical assessments, such as those indicated in paragraph 105-3-.07(1)(c), to predict or formulate a professional statement of opinion, whether written or verbal, on a candidate's or participant's future use of or propensity for violence.
   5. (e) Certified Facilitators or authorized program staff shall assess candidates for accessibility requirements under state law and make available any reasonable accommodations that may be necessary for the candidate to fully participate in the classes.
   6. (f) A Victim Contact Request Form must be sent to the victim liaison within five (5) calendar days of a participant's enrollment in the FVIP. Requirements for this form can be found in the Department SOP.

2. (2) Participant Fee Requirements.

   1. (a) FVIPs shall not charge participants a fee that exceeds $60.00 per class or $120.00 for the orientation and/or intake process.
   2. (b) Each FVIP will be assessed a $20.00 fee for each newly enrolled participant that is payable to the Commission within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving an invoice. The Program shall enter the participant into the Commission-designated reporting system by the tenth (10) day of the month following the month in which the participant enrolled.
   3. (c) A participant who re-enrolls in an FVIP after being previously terminated by that FVIP, and while subject to the same referral source or court order, will be treated as a newly enrolled participant, and the program shall be assessed a $20.00 fee for the participant payable to the Commission within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving an invoice. The FVIP shall enter the participant into the reporting system by the tenth (10) day of the following month upon the participant's re-enrollment.
   4. (d) FVIPs may accept prepayment from participants for classes. FVIPs shall maintain a written policy for prepayment, which should be displayed and readily accessible to candidates and participants. The policy should include provisions explaining prepayment, refunds, late payments, and nonpayment. A prepayment policy must include a provision for refunding any unused portion of prepayments in the event of a participant's transfer or termination from the program. The Commission may void any provision of an FVIP's payment policy if it is deemed unreasonably excessive or unduly burdensome.
   5. (e) Indigent fee reduction sliding scales must be included in the participant fee policies shared with participants at intake orientation.

3. (3) Participant Contract Requirements.

   1. (a) FVIPs shall require each participant to sign a contract before being permitted entry into the program. The contract must require the participant to agree to the following:

      1. 1. Immediately stop all violence and abuse towards the victim and others, and disclose to the program owner any new incidents of violence or abuse while enrolled;
      2. 2. While enrolled in FVIP, refrain from being in possession of or maintaining in the place of residence any firearms while subject to a court order, community supervision, or by other operation of law that expressly prohibits possession;
      3. 3. Respect any effort by the victim to leave the relationship;
      4. 4. Fully comply with the terms of a court order or order of protection in effect during the period of the participant's enrollment;
      5. 5. Attend twenty-four (24) ninety (90) minute group classes at the rate of one (1) class per week, arrive on time, participate regularly, pay all required fees, and complete all assignments;
      6. 6. Complete the program where the participant originally enrolled unless a transfer to another FVIP is approved by the court, other referral source, or the Commission, or is otherwise required;
      7. 7. Be drug and alcohol-free during all classes;
      8. 8. Acknowledge that FVIPs are not bound by confidentiality and may release information to the victim liaison, referring courts, law enforcement, Commission staff and monitors, the Department, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and others;
      9. 9. Acknowledge the FVIP's policies regarding the following: duty to warn, mandatory reporting requirements, victim contact obligations, and consequences of breaking the FVIP's participant contract.

4. (4) Required Class Structure.

   1. (a) Each participant must attend a minimum of twenty-four (24) group classes. Participants may not attend more than one (1) class per week to accelerate program completion.

      1. 1. An FVIP may allow a participant to attend one (1) make-up or substitute class in the same week as the participant's regularly enrolled class. The participant must have an excused absence or approval to attend a make-up class due to arriving late. In such instances, the make-up or substitute class attendance will not violate the one (1) week limitation. Providers must ensure the class ratio requirement is not violated to accommodate such requests.
   2. (b) Classes shall be at least ninety (90) minutes and no greater than one hundred twenty (120) minutes in length. Administrative duties, including taking attendance and collecting fees, are prohibited during the ninety (90) minutes of instruction time. Breaks shall not be included in the ninety (90) minutes.
   3. (c) If only one (1) certified Facilitator is present, the class shall not exceed ten (10) participants. Two (2) certified Facilitators are required to co-facilitate a class of more than ten (10) participants. Class size shall not exceed twenty (20) participants.

   4. (d) Participants may not have more than three (3) absences. A participant must be terminated from the FVIP after the fourth absence. FVIP Provider owners may implement an excused absence policy in accordance with these rules. For an absence to be excused, the participant must immediately notify the FVIP Provider, Facilitator, or authorized program staff at the earliest possible time. Supporting documentation must be placed in the participant's file to mark the absence as excused. Participants may not exceed three (3) excused absences. Refer to the SOP for guidance on maintaining an excused absence policy.

      1. 1. The FVIP Provider shall notify the Victim Liaison and referral source within two (2) days or as soon as practicable of the participant's status after three (3) absences, whether excused or unexcused.
   5. (e) Participants arriving late to class may remain in class but not receive credit, and no payment shall be charged to the participant or received by the FVIP. Participants who arrive late may be allowed to attend a make-up class for up to three (3) tardies. Each tardy after three (3) shall be recorded as one (1) absence.

   6. (f) Transfer of a participant to another program will not be permitted unless written notice of the transfer request has been given to the Commission and the transfer has been approved by the court, other referral source, or the Commission. If approved, the transferring FVIP shall notify the victim liaison of the participant's transfer within four (4) calendar days. FVIPs who accept transferring participants must follow all procedures required of new participants.

      1. 1. If a program's certification has been suspended, revoked, or expired, a written request to the Commission for transferring participants is not required. The FVIP owner must immediately inform the Commission of all participants currently enrolled in the program at the time of suspension, revocation, or expiration. The FVIP must send the files of enrolled participants to the Commission within three (3) business days following the notice of suspension, revocation, or expiration. The FVIP must provide any additional assistance or information requested for the transfer of the participants.
   7. (g) All participants in a class must be of the same gender identity. Gender identity refers to the gender with which an individual self-identifies or the predominant gender they express.
   8. (h) Current or former intimate partners, family, or household members are not allowed to participate in the same class.

   9. (i) Participants may attend FVIP classes in person or online. Once enrolled in the 24-week program, participants should remain in the same class through completion. However, a Provider may authorize a participant to change their enrolled class to accommodate a different class format or schedule, provided the participant submits a written request. The request must include the current class the participant is enrolled in, the requested class, and the reason for the requested change. This information should be kept in the participant's file. The FVIP should notify the victim liaison and referral source of the change and the reason.

      1. 1. A Facilitator may initiate a request to transfer a participant from the online class format to an available in-person class within the same FVIP if the Facilitator determines that the participant is no longer suitable for online class participation or is not adhering to the guidelines for online classes. Providers should adjust the participant's fees, including prepaid fees, to reflect any cost differences resulting from the change in class format, if applicable.

5. (5) Requirements for online FVIP classes.

   1. (a) Online FVIP classes must be conducted using an approved virtual platform. The approved platforms include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, GoTo Meeting, Skype, Cisco Webex, Jitsi Meet, Toasty, Lifesize, Jami, Talky, and Whereby. Any other platform requires prior Commission approval.

      1. 1. All platforms used must have features enabled that allow users to access video and audio capabilities. Facilitators and participants are required to keep their video feature enabled at all times during the class.
   2. (b) Online FVIP classes must adhere to the same requirements and standards as in-person classes. The classes include at least ninety (90) minutes of instruction, excluding time for taking attendance or collecting payments.
   3. (c) FVIP Facilitators must ensure that participants attending online FVIP classes are in a location and environment free from distractions throughout the class. Participants shall not be permitted to have anyone else in their company, and they must not be engaged in activities that would divide their attention.

6. (6) Prohibited Class Activities.

   1. (a) FVIPs shall not give participants credit for anger management, DUI, or any other class for attending an FVIP class, nor shall an FVIP give participants FVIP class credit for attending an anger management, DUI, or any other class. An FVIP may recommend to the court or referral source that a participant may require treatment or programs in addition to or in lieu of FVIP. The program may also determine that the participant requires further evaluation concerning the participant's suitability for the FVIP due to mental and/or cognitive capacity.
   2. (b) FVIPs, including owners, Facilitators, or other program staff, shall not seek, allow, or accept any personal favors or gifts from participants in lieu of class fees or attendance, or for any reason during the participant's active enrollment status in the program, except that items of nominal value are permitted, provided no promises, favors, assurances, or benefits are given to the participant in exchange.
   3. (c) FVIPs shall not require or permit victims to attend or participate in the intake orientation process, class, or FVIP activities in any way. Participants in online classes shall not be permitted to have victims, children, or any other individuals present while in a class session at any time or for any reason. Refer to the Department SOP for guidance on online FVIP class management.
   4. (d) FVIPs shall not permit participants to violate any FVIP rules, procedures, or participant contract requirements without escalating consequences up to and including termination from the program.

7. (7) Criteria and Procedures for Program Completion.

   1. (a) Participants must complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) weekly classes that are ninety (90) minutes in length to complete an FVIP program.
   2. (b) FVIPs shall not issue certificates to participants who have completed the program. However, FVIP Providers must comply with requests for a verification letter containing information such as the number of classes attended, termination, or completion to any requesting court or referral source, or the participant.
   3. (c) Within four (4) calendar days of a participant's completion, FVIPs must notify all referral sources, including the courts, the Department (if applicable), the State Board of Pardons and Paroles (if applicable), and the victim (via the victim liaison).

8. (8) Criteria and Procedures for Terminating a Participant or Denying Enrollment of a Candidate.

   1. (a) Participants and candidates shall be terminated and/or denied for enrollment by the program for the following reasons:

      1. 1. Participant or candidate is unwilling to sign the participant contract;

      2. 2. Participant or candidate is unwilling to sign the participant contract;

         1. (i) Continued use of violence or abuse, including harassment and/or stalking, towards the victim, any family member, or current or former partner, FVIP staff, or FVIP participants;
         2. (ii) Demonstrated unwillingness to change, by refusal to hear and act on feedback, blaming victims or external circumstances, or justifying abuse;
         3. (iii) Attending class under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Participants who are reasonably suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be asked to leave the class and will not receive credit for attendance, resulting in an absence. The Facilitator must document the circumstances that led to the participant's removal from class in the participant's file. If the participant is removed a second time for the same reason, the FVIP may terminate the participant's participation in the program. The Provider must notify the victim liaison and referral source within two (2) calendar days of the termination.
         4. (iv) Refusal to refrain from being in possession of or maintaining in the place of residence any firearms while subject to a court order, community supervision, while enrolled in FVIP, or if expressly prohibited;
      3. 3. Upon the participant accumulating a fourth (4) absence from the class.
   2. (b) If an FVIP has determined that a participant will be terminated, the FVIP will notify the victim liaison with a notice of intent to terminate two (2) calendar days prior to terminating the participant, when possible.
   3. (c) If a participant is terminated due to violence or threats of violence, the FVIP shall immediately contact all referral sources, including the courts, the Department (if applicable), the State Board of Pardons and Paroles (if applicable), and the victim (via the victim liaison).
   4. (d) If a participant is terminated for reasons other than violence or threats of violence, the FVIP shall notify all referral sources within two (2) calendar days following the participant's termination, including the courts, the Department (if applicable), the State Board of Pardons and Paroles (if applicable), and the victim (via the victim liaison).
   5. (e) If a participant is terminated, they are not eligible to receive credit for classes completed at the program they attended. Participants may not start a new program after being terminated without written permission from the referral source to re-enroll in FVIP.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 19-13-11, 19-13-13(a) & (b), 19-13-14(a), (d) & (e), 19-13-17.

History. Original Rule entitled "Procedure and Class Requirements" adopted. F. Dec. 3, 2018; eff. Dec. 23, 2018.

Amended: F. Feb. 23, 2026; eff. Mar. 15, 2026.