44-4-1505. (Temporary) Emergency lodging program for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking -- grants -- rulemaking -- definitions. (1) There is an emergency lodging program for licensed establishments located in the state to assist designated organizations in providing short-term lodging in the state to individuals and families that are victims of domestic violence or human trafficking.

(2) (a) Subject to the provisions of this section, participating establishments may submit a grant application to the department of justice for providing emergency lodging to an individual or family who is in immediate need of shelter based on being a victim of domestic violence or human trafficking.

(b) In order to be eligible for the grant, the individual or family must be referred to the establishment by a designated organization.

(3) Grant funds for the program are provided from funding in the emergency lodging for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking state special revenue account provided for in 44-4-1506. The grant:

(a) is equal to the lesser of the average daily rate or the state rate for each night lodging was provided at no cost to the individual or the referring organization;

(b) is limited to a maximum of 5 nights' lodging for each individual or family for each calendar year;

(c) may be claimed only for lodging provided in the state; and

(d) is exempt from the lodging and facility use tax imposed by 15-65-111 or the sales tax and use tax on accommodations imposed by 15-68-102.

(4) Participating establishments may offer lodging based on availability of rooms.

(5) The department of justice shall maintain a registry of designated organizations and shall provide a list of approved organizations to establishments on request. The department of justice shall seek comment from appropriate statewide nonprofit organizations when developing and updating the registry.

(6) The grants provided in this section are subject to available funding and are not guaranteed. The grant does not apply to the costs of providing lodging to an individual who is displaced by a major disaster declared by the president under 42 U.S.C. 5170 or 5191 and who receives financial assistance for temporary housing under 42 U.S.C. 5174.

(7) The department of justice may adopt rules, prepare forms, and maintain records that are necessary to implement and administer this section.

(8) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) (i) "Average daily rate" means the total amount of lodging receipts received by the establishment during the night of the emergency stay without regard to local and state taxes received divided by the number of rooms the establishment received compensation for during the night of the emergency stay.

(ii) The term does not include grant money received pursuant to this section.

(b) "Designated organization" means a charitable organization or government entity approved by the department of justice to make referrals for emergency lodging.

(c) "Establishment" means a person or entity that makes sales of accommodations as defined in 15-68-101.

(d) "State rate" means the rate the state pays for state employees in travel status that is adopted by the department of administration. (Terminates June 30, 2027--sec. 10, Ch. 758, L. 2023.)