Domestic violence and sexual assault: prevention.

Existing law establishes the Office of Emergency Services Domestic Violence Advisory Council, and requires the Office of Emergency Services and the council to collaboratively administer the Comprehensive Statewide Domestic Violence Program, through which the office provides financial and technical assistance to local domestic violence centers in implementing specified services for victims of domestic violence and their children. This bill would create the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Fund and require that moneys in the fund be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of funding programs that incorporate comprehensive, evidence-based, and promising practices to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. The bill would require grants to be awarded by the Office of Emergency Services according to criteria for funding that would be established by the office in consultation with practitioners and experts in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. The bill would require grants to be 3 years in length and for a minimum amount of $150,000. The bill would create specified requirements for organizations receiving funds under its provisions. The bill would additionally direct these grants to be used for specified activities.