§ 10416. National domestic violence hotline and Internet grant

(a) In general

The Secretary may award 1 or more grants to private, nonprofit entities—

(1) to provide for the establishment and operation of a national, toll-free telephone hotline to provide information and assistance to victims of domestic violence; or

(2) to provide for the establishment and operation of a highly secure Internet website to provide that information and assistance to those victims.

(b) Duration

A grant under this section may extend over a period of not more than 5 years.

The provision of payments under a grant awarded under this section shall be subject to annual approval by the Secretary and subject to the availability of appropriations for each fiscal year to make the payments.

(d) Hotline activities

An entity that receives a grant under this section for activities described, in whole or in part, in subsection (a)(1) of this section shall use funds made available through the grant to establish and operate a national, toll-free telephone hotline to provide information and assistance to victims of domestic violence. In establishing and operating the hotline, the entity shall—

(1) contract with a carrier for the use of a toll-free telephone line;

(2) employ, train (including technology training), and supervise personnel to answer incoming calls and provide counseling and referral services to callers on a 24-hour-a-day basis;

(3) assemble and maintain a current database of information relating to services for victims of domestic violence to which callers may be referred throughout the United States, including information on the availability of shelters that serve battered women; and

(4) publicize the hotline to potential users throughout the United States.

(e) Secure website activities

(1) In general

An entity that receives a grant under this section for activities described, in whole or in part, in subsection (a)(2) of this section shall use funds made available through the grant to provide grants for startup and operational costs associated with establishing and operating a highly secure Internet website.

(2) Availability

The website shall be available to the entity operating the hotline and domestic violence shelters.

(3) Information

The website shall provide accurate information that describes—

(A) the services available to victims of domestic violence, including health care and mental health services, social services, transportation, services for children (including children who witness domestic violence), and other relevant services; and

(B) the domestic violence shelters available, and services provided by the shelters.

(4) Rule of construction

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any shelter or service provider, whether public or private, to be linked to the website or to provide information to the recipient of the grant described in paragraph (1) or to the website.

(f) Application

The Secretary may not award a grant under this section unless the Secretary approves an application for such grant. To be approved by the Secretary under this subsection an application shall—

(1) contain such agreements, assurances, and information, be in such form, and be submitted in such manner, as the Secretary shall prescribe through notice in the Federal Register;

(2) in the case of an application for a grant to carry out activities described in subsection (a)(1) of this section, include a complete description of the applicant’s plan for the operation of a national domestic violence hotline, including descriptions of—

(A) the training program for hotline personnel, including technology training to ensure that all persons affiliated with the hotline are able to effectively operate any technological systems used by the hotline;

(B) the hiring criteria for hotline personnel;

(D) a plan for publicizing the availability of the hotline;

(E) a plan for providing service to non-English speaking callers, including service through hotline personnel who speak Spanish; and

(F) a plan for facilitating access to the hotline by persons with hearing impairments;

(3) in the case of an application for a grant to carry out activities described in subsection (a)(2) of this section—

(A) include a complete description of the applicant’s plan for the development, operation, maintenance, and updating of information and resources of the website;

(B) include a certification that the applicant will implement a high level security system to ensure the confidentiality of the website, taking into consideration the safety of domestic violence victims; and

(C) include an assurance that, after the third year of the website project, the recipient of the grant will develop a plan to secure other public or private funding resources to ensure the continued operation and maintenance of the website;

(4) demonstrate that the applicant has recognized expertise in the area of domestic violence and a record of high quality service to victims of domestic violence, including a demonstration of support from advocacy groups;

(5) demonstrate that the applicant has a commitment to diversity, and to the provision of services to ethnic, racial, and non-English speaking minorities, in addition to older individuals and individuals with disabilities; and

(6) contain such other information as the Secretary may require.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.

(2) Conditions on appropriations

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may make available a portion of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) to award grants under subsection (a)(2) of this section only for any fiscal year for which the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) exceed $3,000,000.

(3) Availability

Funds authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.

U.S. Code

§ 10416. National domestic violence hotline and Internet grant