The attorney general may award grants to domestic violence high risk teams, but must request proposals, evaluate them, set administration procedures, and apply for federal grant funds. Grant recipients may use the money only for team activities that reduce or prevent domestic violence and provide victim services.
Sec. 402.039. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HIGH RISK TEAMS GRANT PROGRAM. (a) A domestic violence high risk team is a multidisciplinary team that coordinates efforts to increase the safety of victims of family violence, as that term is defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, by monitoring and containing perpetrators while providing victim services. The team may be composed of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, community supervision and corrections departments, victim advocates, nonprofit organizations that provide services or shelter to victims of family violence, and medical personnel. The team members work together to share information and communicate to provide the best possible responses to victims at high risk. (b) Using money appropriated for the purpose, the attorney general may award grants to domestic violence high risk teams in communities in this state. (c) The attorney general shall request proposals for the award of grants under this section. The attorney general shall evaluate the proposals and award grants based on the need for domestic violence services in the community in which the team is located and the effectiveness or potential effectiveness of the team. (d) A grant recipient may use grant money received under this section only to fund the activities of a domestic violence high risk team in reducing or preventing incidents of domestic violence and providing domestic violence services to victims. (e) The attorney general shall establish procedures to administer the grant program, including a procedure for the submission of a proposal and a procedure to be used by the attorney general in evaluating a proposal. (f) To supplement any appropriations for the grant program, the attorney general shall apply for any available federal grant funds for the prevention of domestic violence. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 105 (H.B. 3327), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015. Redesignated from Government Code, Section 402.038 by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 24.001(11), eff. September 1, 2017. SUBCHAPTER C. OPINIONS