1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "Clearance rates" , the rate at which law enforcement agencies clear an offense by arrest or by exceptional means;
(2) "Offense cleared by an arrest" , when at least one person has been arrested, charged with the commission of the offense, and turned over to the court for prosecution;
(3) "Offense cleared by exceptional means" , when the law enforcement agency has:
(a) Identified the offender;
(b) Gathered enough evidence to support an arrest, make a charge, and turn over the offender to the court for prosecution;
(c) Identified the offender's exact location so that the suspect could be taken into custody immediately; and
(d) Encountered a circumstance outside the control of such agency that prohibited the agency from arresting, charging, and prosecuting the offender.
2. There is hereby created the "Missouri Violent Crime Clearance Grant Program" within the department of public safety. This program shall be developed in consultation with the Missouri peace officers standards and training commission created pursuant to section 590.120 , the office for victims of crime created pursuant to section 650.310 , and the crime laboratory review commission created pursuant to section 650.059 .
3. The purpose of this program is to improve law enforcement strategies and initiatives aimed at increasing violent crime clearance rates.
4. To the extent that such uses can be demonstrated to advance the purposes described in subsection 3 * of this section, eligible uses for the funding include:
(1) Improved investigatory resources, including the hiring of personnel assigned to investigate violent crimes or collect, process, and test forensic evidence;
(2) Development of evidence-based policies, procedures, and training;
(3) Technical assistance;
(4) Law enforcement equipment or technology, including investigative, evidence-processing, or forensic-testing equipment or technology;
(5) Contractual support;
(6) Information systems, with prioritization for projects that would improve data integration and the ability to share information across and between law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys' offices, and crime labs;
(7) Officer health and wellness services;
(8) Hiring and retention of victim-witness coordinators;
(9) Partnership with hospital-based violence intervention programs;
(10) Partnership with accredited behavioral health programs; and
(11) Partnership with local community service providers to improve support for victims of violent crime.
5. In awarding a grant under subsection 2 of this section for an allowable use under subsection 4 ** of this section, the department of public safety shall give priority to law enforcement agencies:
(1) With consistent public reporting of low clearance rates;
(2) That demonstrate a commitment to working with community-based organizations and government agencies to reduce violent crime rates; or
(3) That detail a process for evaluating the effectiveness of both investigators and investigative units, including the development of specific goals and performance metrics.
6. All law enforcement agencies that receive funding under this section shall report to the department of public safety annually on activities carried out to reduce violent crime and improve clearance rates during the preceding fiscal year, including, but not limited to:
(1) The number of personnel hired or assigned to investigate violent crimes, disaggregated between sworn law enforcement officers and civilian or unsworn professional staff;
(2) The number of personnel hired or assigned to collect, process, and test forensic evidence;
(3) The number of personnel hired or assigned to provide victim services;
(4) The description of any training developed or implemented;
(5) The description of any new technology purchased or acquired;
(6) How grant-funded activities have impacted clearance rates;
(7) The record management system, or equivalent, used to collect case information and its ability to integrate with other agencies', prosecuting attorney offices', and crime labs' record management systems; and
(8) How the grantee worked with community-based organizations to improve violent crime rates and clearance rates for violent crimes.
7. Distribution of state funds or technical assistance shall be by contractual arrangement between the department and each recipient law enforcement agency. Terms of the contract shall be negotiable each year. The state auditor may periodically audit all law enforcement agencies receiving state funds.
8. Nothing in this section shall prohibit any law enforcement agency from receiving federal or local funds should such funds become available.
9. No state funds shall be expended unless appropriated by the general assembly for this purpose.