(a) Subject to available funds, the commission shall establish a grant program to award grants to public and nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to domestic victims, including organizations that provide public awareness activities, community outreach and training, victim identification services, and legal services.
(b) To apply for a grant under this section, an applicant must submit an application in the form and manner prescribed by the commission. An applicant must describe in the application the services the applicant intends to provide to domestic victims if the grant is awarded.

(c) In awarding grants under this section, the commission shall give preference to organizations that have experience in successfully providing the types of services for which the grants are awarded.
(d) A grant recipient shall provide reports as required by the commission regarding the use of grant funds.
(e) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report to the legislature summarizing the activities, funding, and outcomes of programs awarded a grant under this section and providing recommendations regarding the grant program.
(f) For purposes of Subchapter I, Chapter 659:
(1) the commission, for the sole purpose of administering the grant program under this section, is considered an eligible charitable organization entitled to participate in the state employee charitable campaign; and
(2) a state employee is entitled to authorize a deduction for contributions to the commission for the purposes of administering the grant program under this section as a charitable contribution under § 659.132, and the commission may use the contributions as provided by Subsection (a).

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025