KRS 41.305: Elder and vulnerable victims trust fund.

(1) The elder and vulnerable victims trust fund is created as a separate revolving fund

in the Office of the State Treasurer.

(2) The moneys in the trust fund shall be expended only as provided in this section and

are hereby appropriated for those purposes.

(3) The State Treasurer shall credit to the trust fund all amounts received for this

purpose, including appropriations, grants, gifts, and any amounts received under

KRS 381.280.

(4) The State Treasurer shall invest trust fund money in the same manner as sur plus

funds are invested. Earnings shall be credited to the trust fund.

(5) Notwithstanding KRS 45.229, any moneys remaining in the trust fund at the close

of the fiscal year shall not lapse but shall be carried forward into the succeeding

fiscal year to be used for the purposes set forth in this section.

(6) Money shall be disbursed from the trust fund only for the purpose of providing

funding to one (1) or more public or private nonprofit organizations, including

government organizations, in the developmen t or operation of elder or vulnerable

adult abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation prevention or intervention programs.

An organization shall be eligible to receive funding only if:

(a) The organization agrees to provide at least a twenty -five percent (25%) match

of the total project amount requested, which may consist of monetary or in -

kind contributions;

(b) The organization demonstrates a willingness and ability to provide program

models and consultation to other organizations and communities regardin g

program development and maintenance; and

(c) The organization funds:

1. Programs which provide advocacy, crisis counseling, financial

guardianship, or other similar services to victims of elder or vulnerable

adult abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation;

2. Law enforcement, prosecution, or court -based programs that enhance

case investigations, prosecutions, or victim assistance in criminal cases

involving elder or vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or financial

exploitation;

3. Programs which develop and implement public education and awareness

campaigns on elder and vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or financial

exploitation by making use of electronic and print media to inform the

public about the nature of these crimes and available resources such as

victims' rights, legal remedies, agency services, and prevention

strategies; or

4. Research initiatives that provide greater insight into the dynamics of

elder and vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation and

guidance on best practices for intervention or prevention strategies.

(7) (a) Fiscal, programmatic, and disbursement authority over trust fund money shall

be provided by the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, which shall develop a

review panel system to award grants from the trust fund on an annual basis.

Panel members shall be individuals with knowledge and operati onal

experience in elder and vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or financial

exploitation and shall be drawn from the law enforcement, court, prosecution,

and victim advocacy communities.

(b) In disbursing money from the trust fund, the panel shall not disbu rse to any

one (1) program more than twenty -five percent (25%) of the total funds

available for disbursement and shall seek to distribute meaningful awards to

as many programs as possible throughout the Commonwealth.

(8) The Justice and Public Safety Cabin et shall promulgate administrative regulations

in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to implement this section.