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Bill

AB 785

Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mia Bonta and 11 co-sponsors

AB 785 funds California community groups using street messengers to prevent gun violence through intervention rather than enforcement.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 785

Legislative bill overview

AB 785 establishes a Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program in California, which would provide state funding to support community-based organizations that work to prevent and reduce gun violence through intervention strategies. The bill directs resources toward grassroots violence prevention efforts, typically employing outreach workers and conflict mediators from affected communities.

Why is this important

Community violence intervention programs have shown measurable success in reducing homicides and shootings in pilot cities, operating on the premise that street-credible messengers can de-escalate conflicts and redirect at-risk individuals away from violence. This bill would formalize and expand such efforts statewide, addressing California's significant firearm homicide rates through a public health approach rather than solely enforcement-based strategies.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism and allocation: Questions about how grant money would be distributed, whether it prioritizes high-violence areas, and whether funding levels are adequate for meaningful impact across the state
  • Effectiveness measurement: Disagreement over how success would be measured, what metrics constitute proof of concept, and whether anecdotal evidence from pilot programs justifies statewide expansion
  • Public safety philosophy divide: Tension between those viewing violence intervention as essential prevention and those skeptical of non-law-enforcement approaches to public safety, or who question whether it adequately holds people accountable

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

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