§ 19-13-16 — Mandatory participation; cost for participation

(a) A court, in addition to imposing any penalty provided by law, when sentencing a defendant or revoking a defendant's probation for an offense involving family violence, or when imposing a protective order against family violence, shall order the defendant to participate in a family violence intervention program, whether a certified program pursuant to this article or a program operated pursuant to Code Section 19-13-15 , unless the court determines and states on the record why participation in such a program is not appropriate. (b) The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, for a violation of parole for an offense involving family violence, shall require the conditional releasee to participate in a family violence intervention program, whether a certified program pursuant to this article or a program operated pursuant to Code Section 19-13-15 , unless the State Board of Pardons and Paroles determines why participation in such a program is not appropriate. (c) Unless the defendant is indigent, the cost of the family violence intervention program as provided by this Code section shall be borne by the defendant. If the defendant is indigent, then the cost of the program shall be determined by a sliding scale based upon the defendant's ability to pay.