§ 18 -   Spouse abuse programs; eligibility; reporting

§ 18. Spouse abuse programs; eligibility; reporting TITLE 3ExecutivePART IGenerallyCHAPTER 1. GOVERNOR

§ 18. Spouse abuse programs; eligibility; reporting

(a) There is hereby created a spouse abuse program.

(b) The Vermont center for crime victims' services, shall be authorized to award grants for the spouse abuse program. Awards shall be made by the center to spouse abuse programs established for the purpose of providing shelter, protection or support for battered or abused spouses. The center shall, insofar as possible, award grants to provide reasonable geographic distribution of funds around the state.

(c) The center shall, on or before January 1 of each year, forward to the speaker of the house and president of the senate an annual report on the status of the program. This report shall include, but not be limited to, such areas as:

(1) actual disbursements;

(2) number of facilities and programs served;

(3) the impact of the monies relative to the continued success of each particular program;

(4) incidence of spouse abuse in the state;

(5) identification of potential funding sources.

(d) In order to receive funds under this section, each participating program shall:

(1) receive some funding from one or more local, municipal or county source, public or private. Contributions in kind, whether material, commodities, transportation or office space, may be evaluated and counted as part of this requirement;

(2) reapply annually for continued funding as necessary.

(e) Duties and functions of the center.

(1) The center shall adopt rules under chapter 25 of Title 3 pursuant to which interested local programs may apply for funding. Any local agency or organization may apply to participate.

(2) The center shall establish minimum standards for eligibility for state funds awarded through the provisions of this section. (Added 1981, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1995, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 57a.)