] is old law to be omitted. LBD02748-01-5A. 1693 2 1 (c) The training of staff and technical assistance related to applica- 2 ble health and hygiene protocol, outreach and partnerships, best prac- 3 tices and policies; and 4 (d) The provision of food, supplies, and equipment to accommodate 5 animals in the shelter. 6 4. In establishing and operating the program, a range of experts shall 7 be consulted including but not limited to, the division of housing and 8 community renewal, providers of housing accommodations for people expe- 9 riencing homelessness, and any other related state agency, municipality 10 or organization. 11 § 2. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 459-bb 12 to read as follows: 13 § 459-bb. Housing people and animals together grant program for 14 victims of domestic violence. 1. As used in this section, the term 15 "co-sheltering" refers to housing accommodations that enable the coex- 16 istence of people and their companion animals in a shelter setting. 17 2. There is hereby established a co-sheltering grant program to be 18 implemented by the office of children and family services and the office 19 of temporary and disability assistance to aid in expanding access to 20 sheltered housing for victims of domestic violence with companion 21 animals. The program shall provide funding to non-profit organizations 22 and municipal shelters that provide housing to victims of domestic 23 violence or people experiencing homelessness. The program shall be 24 designed to support the implementation and maintenance of co-sheltering 25 programs that enable such populations to gain access to shelter with a 26 companion animal. Funding used to support the program shall be subject 27 to appropriation. 28 3. Funds shall be distributed and made available for expenditure under 29 this section. In determining funding for applicants under the grant 30 program, the following criteria and goals may be considered: 31 (a) The provision of veterinary services to provide essential medical 32 care to animals housed onsite; 33 (b) The renovation of a facility to incorporate a kennel or other 34 needed infrastructural changes to safely house people experiencing home- 35 lessness or victims of domestic violence with companion animals; 36 (c) The training of staff and technical assistance related to applica- 37 ble health and hygiene protocol, outreach and partnerships, best prac- 38 tices and policies; and 39 (d) The provision of food, supplies, and equipment to accommodate 40 animals in the shelter. 41 4. In establishing and operating the program, a range of experts shall 42 be consulted including but not limited to, the office for the prevention 43 of domestic violence, the division of housing and community renewal, 44 providers of housing accommodations for people experiencing homeless- 45 ness, organizations serving the needs of victims of domestic violence, 46 and any other related state agency, municipality or organization. 47 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after 48 it shall have become a law.