Section 18 - Spouse abuse programs; eligibility(a) There is hereby created the Spouse Abuse Program.(b) The Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services shall be authorized to award grants for the Spouse Abuse Program. Awards shall be made by the Center to spouse abuse programs established for the purpose of providing shelter, protection, or support for battered or abused spouses. The Center shall, insofar as possible, award grants to provide reasonable geographic distribution of funds around the State.(d) In order to receive funds under this section, each participating program shall:(1) Receive some funding from one or more local, municipal, or county source, public or private. Contributions in kind, whether material, commodities, transportation, or office space, may be evaluated and counted as part of this requirement.(2) Reapply annually for continued funding as necessary.(e) Duties and functions of the Center. (1) The Center shall adopt rules under chapter 25 of this title pursuant to which interested local programs may apply for funding. Any local agency or organization may apply to participate.(2) The Center shall establish minimum standards for eligibility for State funds awarded through the provisions of this section.Added 1981, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1995, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 57a; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.) , § 1, eff. 5/14/2012; 2015, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 71.