1. (1) These rules apply to Certified Programs that provide intervention services to persons who are court ordered to attend such Certified Programs:

   1. (a) as part of their incarceration,
   2. (b) as a condition of their probation or parole,
   3. (c) as an additional requirement of other non-jail sentencing,
   4. (d) as an alternative, in whole or in part, to incarceration, or
   5. (e) as a complement to incarceration or to alternative sentencing options under the Tennessee Code Annotated.

2. (2) Definitions. For purposes of these rules:

   1. (a) The term “batterer” means an individual who commits acts of domestic abuse against a victim. The terms “domestic abuse” and “victim” are defined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-3-601 (1998 Supp.).
   2. (b) The term “intervention” means the use of a time-limited, structured, educational group activity that requires batterers to face the consequences of their behavior, accept responsibility for their abusive actions, confront their rationalizations and excuses, and learn and practice alternative, non-violent behaviors.
   3. (c) The capitalized phrase “Certified Program” means any individual, group, agency, or organization that provides batterers intervention services and is certified under these rules as a “certified batterers intervention program.”
   4. (d) The capitalized phrase “Victim Advocate” means an employee or volunteer of a victim services agency who works under the supervision of such an agency and has had training and experience working with victims of domestic abuse.

Authority: T.C.A. §§38-12-110 and 36-3-601. Administrative History: Original rule filed September 30, 1999; effective December 9, 1999.