§ 111.210. Choose Life Trust Fund.

(a)

There is hereby created an account to be known as the Choose Life Trust Fund, a permanent trust fund that shall carry forward each fiscal year and shall not lapse. All donations and contributions of money, including gifts and grants where the donor or grantor specifies that the funds shall be used in meeting the needs of pregnant women who are committed to placing their children for adoption, shall be deposited into this trust fund. At least 70 percent of the funds shall be used to provide for the material needs of pregnant women who are committed to placing their children for adoption, including clothing, housing, medical care, food, utilities, transportation, expenses necessary for the health of the unborn child, and costs expended on infants awaiting placement with adoptive parents. The remaining funds may be used for counseling, training, or advertising related to adoption, but may not be used for administrative expenses, legal expenses, or capital expenditures. The Council shall from time to time appropriate funds from this trust fund only to those nongovernmental, not-for-profit agencies that meet the requirements of F.S. § 320.08058(30). The Director of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to make disbursement from this trust fund to qualifying agencies based on the Council appropriation of funds, the agencies' agreement to meet the requirements of F.S. § 320.08058(30), and all requirements of law. The provisions and requirements of Chapter 118, Ordinance Code, shall not apply to the recipients of these funds, but the recipients shall comply with all requirements of the state's laws and regulations for funds recipients.

(b)

Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. shall be the agency responsible for disbursements from the Choose Life Trust Fund until such time as the Council may designate another agency which shall have such responsibility. Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. shall comply with all applicable provisions of State law, this Section, and its annual appropriation agreement with the City. Unless prohibited by statute, Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., during the first month of each fiscal year, shall divide the amount of available funds in the Choose Life Trust Fund by the number of qualified agencies in Duval County, and shall allot each qualified agency a pro-rata share of the Choose Life Trust Fund funds to be used for qualified expenses under Section 110.322, Ordinance Code, for that fiscal year. Provided, however, in its sound discretion, Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., alternatively may make its annual allotments to such agencies based upon each agency's respective percentage share of the total number of pregnant women and infants in the community needing allowed services and expenditures, so as to further the most efficient and effective use of the Choose Life Trust Fund funds in the community.

(Ord. 2001-162-E, § 1; Ord. 2002-901-E, § 1; Ord. 2003-1114-E, § 1; Ord. 2006-422-E, § 23; Ord. 2016-140-E , § 16)

Editor's note

Former § 110.322.