(a) Authorization.--The department may establish programs to award grants for the purposes described in this chapter.
(b) Grant program standards and requirements.--The following shall apply:
(1) The department shall establish grant program standards and requirements for a grant program under this chapter and shall transmit notice of the grant program standards and requirements to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(2) Grant program standards and requirements shall do the following:
(i) Establish eligibility standards for applicants.
(ii) Describe the objectives of the grant program, which objectives shall be consistent with this chapter.
(iii) Establish caps, limits and restrictions with respect to grant amounts.
(iv) Establish an application process and timetable.
(v) Present the criteria under which grant applications shall be evaluated by the department.
(vi) Establish a timetable within which the department shall award or disapprove a complete grant application.
(vii) Establish procedures by which the department shall verify expenditures of grant money by a grant recipient.