CT HB05397

Declares gun violence a public health crisis in Connecticut, effective July 1, 2022, with the declaration to remain in effect until violence reduction goals are achieved.

Establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Public Health with a director to be appointed by January 1, 2023, tasked with collecting and publicly sharing gun violence data, making prevention recommendations, and implementing evidence-informed community-based programs.

Creates a grant program to fund organizations conducting gun violence prevention and intervention initiatives, prioritizing high-impact communities, with eligible programs including hospital-based violence intervention, street outreach, and mental health aftercare for survivors.

Establishes a research repository for gun violence data and requires creation of a violence data dashboard in collaboration with law enforcement and hospitals to track victims, incident locations, frequencies, and contributory factors including gun suicides.

Creates an Advisory Council on Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention with representatives from affected communities, organizations, law enforcement, researchers, and public health experts to advise the office and meet at least bimonthly.

Appropriates $5 million to the Department of Public Health for fiscal year 2023 to administer the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.