117 STAT. 828
PUBLIC LAW 108–36—JUNE 25, 2003
‘‘(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. ‘‘(c) ANNUAL APPROVAL.—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) 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, 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) 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 Act 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;
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