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Bill

A 4918

Establishes comprehensive school-based violence prevention grant program to help youth at highest risk of involvement in gun violence; appropriates $1 million.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shanique Speight

Establishes a $1 million grant program for schools in high-violence districts to fund comprehensive, evidence-based violence prevention and trauma-informed youth support.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4918

Bill overview

  • Bill: A 4918
  • Session: 222
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Purpose: Establish a comprehensive, school-based violence prevention grant program to help youth at highest risk of involvement in gun violence and appropriate funding.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create the Comprehensive School-Based Violence Prevention Grant Program within the Department of Education.
  • Award grants to eligible school districts to develop or expand prevention programs in partnership with various organizations.
  • Target assistance to students in kindergarten through 12th grade (or individuals under 19) in municipalities with elevated violence indicators.
  • Use evidence-based, culturally competent, linguistically and developmentally inclusive strategies designed to prevent or reduce youth gun violence.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions

    • Eligible school district: districts in municipalities meeting specified crime/violence criteria for at least two years prior to grant application (examples include certain homicide counts, homicide rates relative to national average, juvenile violent-crime arrest rates, or other compelling needs as deemed by the commissioner).
    • Partnering organizations: entities collaborating with the district (e.g., schools, teachers, mental health professionals, counselors, mentors, community organizations, local businesses, community leaders, crisis intervention professionals).

  • Grant program (Section 2)

    • Establishes a grant program in the Department of Education to fund districts that implement comprehensive violence prevention programs with partnering organizations.
    • Eligible uses: funds must support strategies to prevent/reduce violence among youth at highest risk of gun involvement; must align with evidence-based practices.
    • Allowable uses (determined in advance by the department): development and implementation of programs, support for partnering organizations, and ensuring services are accessible and inclusive.

  • Application requirements (Section 3)

    • Districts must apply with:
    • Identification of the at-risk youth population to be served.
    • List of partnering organizations.
    • Strategies to be employed, including:
      • Community engagement and healthy personal development.
      • Healing from trauma/ACEs.
      • Development of interpersonal/emotional skills (communication, problem-solving, empathy, conflict management).
      • Connection to trusted adults (mental health professionals, counselors, mentors, etc., including trauma-informed care).
      • Safer school and community environments.
      • Reduction of harms from escalating violence and prevention of future gun violence.
    • Activities to provide resources/technical assistance, improve relationships among stakeholders, and expand professional development for staff related to trauma support, SEL, and mental health.
    • Any other information the commissioner deems appropriate.

  • Reporting and accountability (Section 4)

    • Grantee reporting: districts that received a grant in the prior year must report to the commissioner on fund use, including:
    • Number of students and schools served.
    • Strategies for student development, engagement, and access to trusted adults.
    • Extent of increased professional development opportunities.
    • Evidence of improved community partnerships, safer schools, and communities.
    • Program evaluation and oversight: Every two years after establishment (starting two years after enactment), the commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on:
    • Number of grant applicants and the grants awarded (and amounts).
    • Information from districts as required above.
    • State data on youth gun-violence involvement before and after program implementation.
    • Recommendations regarding continuation or expansion of the program.

  • Appropriation (Section 5)

    • Allocates $1 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education for establishing and administering the grant program.

  • Effective date (Section 6)

    • The act takes effect immediately.

Who is affected

  • Eligible school districts located in municipalities meeting the defined violence/crime criteria.
  • Students enrolled in K–12 (or under 19) within those districts.
  • Partnering organizations collaborating with districts (schools, educators, mental health professionals, mentors, non-profits, businesses, community leaders, crisis responders, etc.).
  • State Department of Education, which administers the grant program and reporting requirements.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Applicants must apply to the Commissioner of Education under a process and form to be determined.
  • Grantees must report on fund usage in the following year.
  • The first state-level program implementation report to the Governor and Legislature is due two years after the program’s establishment, with subsequent biennial reports thereafter.
  • Immediate effect: the act provisions and the appropriation would commence upon enactment.

Potential impact (high level)

  • Creates a targeted, data-informed funding mechanism to support violence prevention in high-need districts.
  • Encourages collaboration among schools, mental health professionals, families, and community-based organizations.
  • Aims to reduce youth involvement in gun violence by addressing trauma, improving social-emotional skills, and strengthening protective relationships.
  • Establishes accountability and measurable reporting to track effectiveness and guide future policy decisions.

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

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