(a) For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) ACADV. The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

(2) DIRECTOR. The Director of the Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

(3) OTHER QUALIFIED ENTITY. An entity designated by the director to fulfill the duties of the ACADV in the event the ACADV ceases operations or is otherwise ineligible to receive federal funds for domestic violence programs in this state.

(b) There is established a certified domestic violence center capital improvement grant program under the Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

(c) A certified domestic violence center, as provided for in Section 30-6-6, may apply to the director, or his or her designee, for a capital improvement grant. The grant application shall provide all of the following information:

(1) A statement specifying the capital improvement and the projected costs that the certified domestic violence center proposes to make with the grant funds.

(2) The proposed strategy for making the capital improvement.

(3) The organizational structure that will carry out the capital improvement.

(4) Evidence that the certified domestic violence center has difficulty in obtaining funding or that the funds available for the proposed improvement are inadequate.

(5) Evidence that the grant funds will assist in meeting the needs of victims of domestic violence and their children in the certified domestic violence center service area.

(6) Evidence of a satisfactory recordkeeping system to account for grant fund expenditures.

(7) Evidence of the ability to generate a local match.

(8) Proof of who owns the real property, building, and structures upon which domestic violence services are being provided or will be provided.

(d) A certified domestic violence center may receive funding subject to legislative appropriation, upon application to the director, for projects to construct, acquire, repair, improve, or upgrade systems, facilities, or equipment, subject to availability of grant funds.

(e) An award of grant funds under this article shall be made in accordance with a needs assessment developed by the ACADV or other qualified entity and the director. The director shall perform annually the needs assessment and shall rank in order of need those centers that are requesting grant funds for capital improvement.

(f) The director, in collaboration with the ACADV or other qualified entity, shall establish criteria for awarding the capital improvement grant funds that shall be used exclusively for support and assistance with the capital improvement needs of the certified domestic violence center.

(g) The director shall ensure that the grant funds awarded under this article are used solely for the purposes specified in this article. The director shall also ensure that the grant process maintains the confidentiality of the location of the certified domestic violence center applying for the grant. The total amount of the grants awarded under this article may not exceed the amount appropriated for the program.