Summary — HB 180: Public Safety — Gun Violence Victim Relocation Program — Establishment
Status snapshot
- Bill title: Public Safety — Gun Violence Victim Relocation Program — Establishment (HB 180)
- Sponsor: Delegate Addison
- Effective date (as drafted): July 1, 2025
- Hearing noted: 3/05 at 3:00 p.m.
- Primary subject: establishes a state program and fund to help victims of gun violence relocate for safety
Purpose and intent
- Create a statewide program to help victims of gun violence and their families relocate and obtain short‑term housing and supportive services when relocation is necessary for their safety and well‑being.
Key provisions
- Program creation: Establishes the Gun Violence Victim Relocation Program (the Program) within the Victim Services Unit (VSU) of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP).
- Eligibility: An individual may apply through VSU. To be eligible the person must:
- Be a victim of gun violence in the State;
- Have experienced violence in close proximity to their home or live near a person suspected of causing the violence; and
- Demonstrate a safety need to be relocated.
- The Program must accept eligible applicants except individuals suspected of perpetrating the violence.
- Services provided: VSU shall assist accepted victims by:
- Relocating the victim and family to a safe location;
- Providing financial assistance for moving costs, security deposits, and rent; and
- Offering supportive services (counseling, legal assistance, job training, services for people with disabilities, etc.).
- Protections and operations:
- VSU must keep applicant personal information confidential (including addresses).
- VSU must establish an appeal process for denied applicants.
- VSU required to collaborate with law enforcement, housing authorities, social services and to conduct outreach.
- VSU must work to protect program participants who rent from eviction or denial of housing based on program participation.
- VSU must adopt implementing regulations.
- Oversight and reporting:
- Creates a Gun Violence Victim Relocation Program Fund (special, nonlapsing) to support the Program. Fund sources: State appropriations, private donations, other accepted monies; interest credited to the fund. The fund is administered by VSU and subject to audit by the Office of Legislative Audits.
- VSU must establish an oversight commission to monitor program administration and fund use.
- Annual reporting requirement: By December 1 each year beginning in 2027, VSU must report specified program data to the Governor and General Assembly (e.g., applicants, enrollments, services provided).
Fiscal impact (from Department of Legislative Services fiscal note)
- Mandated appropriation: For FY2027 only, the Governor must include a $10.0 million appropriation to capitalize the Program Fund.
- Estimated program operations: Special fund expenditures estimated at about $2.7 million in FY2027 (operations/start‑up); ongoing operating costs projected in future years (inflation assumed).
- Net near‑term effect: FY2027 shows the $10M appropriation to the fund offset by $2.7M in expenditures (fund capitalization less initial spending).
- Local impact: Potential minimal increases in local government expenditures and revenues.
- Small business: Potentially meaningful effects (e.g., moving companies, landlords, service providers).
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: Maryland residents who are victims of gun violence and their families who require relocation for safety.
- State agencies: GOCPP/VSU will administer; law enforcement, housing authorities, social services will coordinate.
- Service providers: landlords, moving and storage companies, counselors, legal service providers, and disability service providers.
- Oversight: Office of Legislative Audits will audit the Fund.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Program effective date in bill: July 1, 2025.
- First mandated budget capitalization: FY2027 appropriation of $10.0 million required in the annual budget bill (per fiscal note).
- Annual program reporting begins December 1, 2027.
Limitations / exclusions
- Individuals suspected of perpetrating the gun violence are not eligible for program acceptance.
- Fund use restricted to carrying out the Program.
For more detail, consult the bill text (adds Public Safety Art., Subtitle 9) and the Department of Legislative Services fiscal and policy note referenced in the bill files.
