7. a. The monies deposited in the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Fund shall be distributed by the Department of Children and Families as grants to child advocacy centers or multidisciplinary teams certified by the board pursuant to subsection c. of section 5 of this act, as applicable to:

(1) establish or construct new centers, or renew, renovate, improve, expand, or reconstruct existing centers;

(2) make technological improvements, including the modernization of software and hardware;

(3) hire personnel, fund new positions, expand the responsibilities of existing positions, pay for additional diagnostic treatment services and other costs, and provide for continuing funding that has been eliminated from a State, federal, or private funding source for diagnostic mental health and medical treatment services, as necessary, to establish new services or improve existing services provided by the centers or teams; and

(4) fund any other purpose that would enhance the effective and efficient operation of the centers or teams.

b. The Department of Children and Families shall accept and approve the applications of child advocacy centers or multidisciplinary teams for grants from the fund, and shall award the grants to new centers or teams that apply and qualify for, and existing centers or teams that meet the requirements of, certification in accordance with subsection b. of section 5 of this act. The Department of Children and Families shall maintain records of all the grants made from the fund pursuant to this section.

L.2017, c.90, s.7.