Domestic violence: probation.

Existing law specifies that the terms of probation granted to a person who has been convicted of domestic violence are required to include, among other things, successful completion of a batterer's program, as defined, or, if such a program is not available, another appropriate counseling program designated by the court, for a period of not less than one year. Existing law requires the program to be completed within 18 months and allows no more than 3 excused absences. Existing law provides for the approval of batterer's programs by the probation department and requires the goal of a batterer's program to be stopping domestic violence. Existing law requires a program to meet certain…