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HB 369

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Mara Gorman and 8 co-sponsors

Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety to coordinate state efforts, fund programs, collect data, and partner with agencies and communities to preven

Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 4 NO 2 ABSENT
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Bill Summary · HB 369

Summary: HB 369 (Session 153) – Establishment of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety

Purpose and intent

  • HB 369 proposes to amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code to create, establish, or organize the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety (OGVPCS).
  • The core aim is to formalize a state-level office dedicated to addressing gun violence through prevention, intervention, and related safety initiatives, rather than relying solely on local or federal programs.

Key provisions and changes (as drafted in intent)

Note: The available information focuses on the bill’s establishment of the office. If enacted, expected provisions typically include, but may not be limited to, the following (paraphrased for clarity):
- Establishment: Create the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety within the executive branch (or a specified department/agency) to coordinate state gun-violence prevention efforts.
- Duties and powers: Define the office’s responsibilities, which commonly include program development, funding allocation, research and data collection on gun violence, training and technical assistance for local jurisdictions, and coordination with law enforcement, public health, community organizations, and schools.
- Programs and initiatives: Authorize the office to implement evidence-based violence intervention and prevention strategies (e.g., community-based programs, safe storage campaigns, youth interventions, retaliation/trauma-informed services, and data-driven policy assessment).
- Funding: Outline the source and use of funds dedicated to the office, including potential state general funds, federal grants, or other allocations. May specify annual budgeting and reporting requirements.
- Reporting and accountability: Require periodic reports to the General Assembly on progress, outcomes, and expenditures; establish performance metrics or benchmarks.
- Interagency coordination: Establish collaboration protocols with existing agencies (e.g., health, public safety, criminal justice, education) to ensure integrated approaches to gun-violence prevention.
- sunset or evaluation provisions: Some bills include a review clause to evaluate the office’s effectiveness after a set period or require periodic sunset and renewal.

Who would be affected

  • The State of Delaware and its executive branch agencies, particularly the entity designated to administer the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.
  • Local governments and school districts, which may interact with the office for program implementation, data-sharing, and technical assistance.
  • Community organizations, public health entities, trauma and intervention programs, and researchers involved in gun-violence prevention and safety initiatives.
  • Individuals and communities affected by gun violence, who may benefit from coordinated prevention and intervention services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and assignment: The bill was introduced and assigned to the Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in the House on April 16, 2026.
  • Next steps: The committee would hold hearings, amend as needed, and vote on whether to advance the bill to the full House. If approved, it would proceed to the Senate (and potentially face further committee action and votes) before becoming law, subject to passage by both chambers and the governor’s signature or veto.
  • Notable timing elements are not included in the provided text; typical bills include effective dates (often upon enactment or a specified future date) and transition timelines for implementing the new office.

Additional considerations

  • As of the provided information, specific statutory language, funding levels, and exact organizational structure of the office (e.g., director appointment, reporting lines) are not detailed. The bill’s full impact will depend on these particulars, once introduced and amended in committee.
  • Stakeholders may want to review sections addressing funding, data privacy, collaboration with local authorities, and measurable outcomes to assess long-term effectiveness.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular aspects (e.g., funding, interagency collaboration, or reporting requirements) once the bill’s full text and committee amendments are available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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