This research examined the innovation and diffusion of the Family Violence Option (FVO) and specific domestic violence policies by the fifty states and the District of Columbia. Domestic violence policies within state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs were examined to assess how policies are reinvented through the diffusion process. States with Democratic Governors were more likely to certify the FVO. States with strict child support sanctions were less likely to certify the FVO. Findings support the position that party control and the historical redistributive orientation within a state influence policy adoption and the propensity to innovate.

Although the analysis was confined to the first period when states were at risk of FVO certification, states were capable of adopting any of the domestic violence polices during a prior period. Further testing is necessary to examine domestic violence policy adoption and diffusion, as well as reinvention in terms of expansions and contractions in policy comprehensiveness through the diffusion process. Findings nonetheless support six theoretical explanations of policy choice including economic, political, national, redistributive orientation, legislation, and diffusion.

States with Democratic governors, unified Democratic legislative control, and strong work sanctions were less likely to adopt work waiver corroboration standards based upon a woman's word. Performance penalty receipt increased the likelihood of work exemption adoption. Strong welfare time limits decreased the likelihood of universal notification and work exemption adoption. Democratic gubernatorial gains and decreasing work sanction strength increased domestic violence policy comprehensiveness. Increasing time limit strength decreased comprehensiveness. Early FVO adopters implemented policy choices that increased comprehensiveness over time.