| SUMMARY OF: | A Sunset Review of the Department of Public Safety, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault |
Why DLA Performed This Audit
The audit determines whether there is a need for the council’s continued existence and whether the council’s termination date should be extended. The council is set to terminate June 30, 2022, and will have one year from that date to conclude its administrative operations.
Report Conclusions
The audit concluded that the council generally operated in the public’s interest by funding and monitoring Alaskan domestic violence and sexual assault programs and prevention activities. The council served as the central coordinator for related services throughout the state, conducted meetings in accordance with council bylaws, effectively met most statutory duties, and did not duplicate the efforts of other entities.
The audit also concluded that the council should improve document retention, access to the Battering Intervention Program database, and timeliness of annual report submission and regulation changes.
In accordance with AS 44.66.010(a)(5), the council is scheduled to terminate June 30, 2022. We recommend the legislature extend the council’s termination date six years, to June 30, 2028.
Findings and Recommendations
- The executive director should allocate resources to ensure the annual report is submitted in accordance with council bylaws.
- The executive director should improve training to help ensure document retention procedures are followed.
- The executive director should work with the Department of Law to expedite regulatory updates.
- The executive director should continue to work with the Department of Public Safety and the Office of Information Technology to improve access to the Battering Intervention Program database.