WeVote
Log In

Bill

WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 900

Overview

HB 900 would create the Office of Violence Prevention within the Ohio Department of Health and establish a dedicated Violence Prevention Fund to support community and hospital violence intervention programs. The measure includes grant programs, workforce development, data systems, evaluation partnerships, and regional coordination hubs, with a multi-year funding appropriation starting in Fiscal Year 2026 and continuing into Fiscal Year 2027.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a statewide Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) to coordinate, support, and fund violence intervention efforts as a public-health approach to reducing firearm-related injury and death.
  • Promote collaboration among community programs, hospitals, local governments, and victim services, while preserving local authority and avoiding mandatory law-enforcement integration.

Key Provisions

Creation and Mission

  • Creates the Office of Violence Prevention within the Department of Health.
  • Focus: reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths through evidence-based public health strategies.

Community Violence Intervention Programs (CVIPs)

  • Annually identify the top fifteen Ohio counties with the highest firearm-related violence; publish the methodology used for ranking.
  • Develop and administer grants (competitive and formula-based) to CVIPs in those fifteen counties, prioritizing evidence-based approaches:
    • Street outreach and credible messengers
    • Group violence reduction strategies
    • Trauma recovery and wraparound supports
    • Community-led conflict mediation and prevention
  • Allow the office to reserve up to 5% of grant funds for communities not in the top fifteen but facing significant or emerging violence burdens.
  • Support CVIP workforce development:
    • Training, certification, and professional development for outreach workers and related personnel
    • Organizational capacity building (fiscal management, data collection, compliance)
    • Worker wellness and safety
  • Provide training, capacity building, and technical assistance to local governments and partners implementing CVIPs.
  • Enter into agreements with public universities or research institutions to evaluate CVIPs, including effects on shootings, homicides, and other outcomes.

Hospital Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs)

  • Establish a statewide HVIP initiative to ensure Level I and II trauma centers implement evidence-based bedside interventions and referrals for firearm injury victims.
    • Bedside engagement by trained intervention specialists
    • Warm handoffs to CVIPs
    • 24/7 on-call response capability
    • Follow-up case management and trauma recovery services
  • Provide funding, technical assistance, and training to hospitals to support HVIPs.

Advisory and Coordination

  • An advisory group may be convened to advise on funding design, priorities, and evaluation, with members including people with lived violence experience and representatives from community organizations, local governments, hospitals, and victim services.

Data and Evaluation

  • Develop a statewide data system to track referrals, engagement, and outcomes for both CVIPs and HVIPs.
  • Require funded programs to participate in the statewide data system.
  • Consult with the Department of Medicaid to explore reimbursement opportunities for CVIP and HVIP services (care coordination, case management, trauma recovery).

Interagency Coordination

  • Encourage coordination among CVIPs, HVIPs, and local law enforcement to improve public safety and worker safety, while not mandating operational integration or altering law enforcement authority.

Regional Hubs

  • Establish regional community violence intervention coordination hubs linked to hospitals, CVIPs, local health departments, and victim services.
  • Each hub has a regional coordinator responsible for referrals, data, cross-system collaboration, and technical assistance.

Reporting and Accountability

  • By December 31, 2030, a representative must report to House and Senate committees on:
    • Evaluation results of funded CVIPs and HVIPs
    • Fiscal impact of these programs
    • Recommendations for future appropriations

Funding and Appropriations

  • Establishes the Violence Prevention Fund within the state treasury to finance the OVP.
  • FY2026 and FY2027 operating appropriations (columns in the bill show specific amounts; the total indicated is $30,000,000 for FY2027 in the designated fund group).
  • At least 80% of the Violence Prevention Fund must be distributed to CVIPs in the fifteen identified counties.
  • A transfer of $30 million in unclaimed funds (as of unclaimed funds reports under Rev. Code 169.05) would be directed to the Violence Prevention Fund, subject to state process timing (on or after July 1, 2026).

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Ohio Department of Health (creation and administration of the OVP).
  • Local governments, hospitals (Level I/II trauma centers), community-based organizations, and victim services providers participating in CVIPs and HVIPs.
  • Public universities and research institutions for program evaluation.
  • Medicaid program and beneficiaries for potential reimbursement opportunities.

Timelines and Reporting

  • One-year-after-enactment date: annual publication of firearm injury/death trends, program impact, and estimated fiscal costs.
  • Every four years after the initial report: a comprehensive statewide violence prevention plan with goals, strategies, and gap analyses; interim updates as needed.
  • By December 31, 2030: mandatory appearance before House and Senate public health/public safety committees to present evaluation results, fiscal impact, and funding recommendations.
  • Funding and operations referenced for FY2026 and FY2027; ongoing appropriation through the Violence Prevention Fund.

Summary

HB 900 creates a centralized, health-focused approach to reducing firearm violence in Ohio by building a dedicated Office of Violence Prevention, funding community and hospital intervention programs, developing a regional hub network, and establishing a statewide data and evaluation framework. It prioritizes evidence-based practices, workforce development, and cross-sector collaboration while preserving local authority and avoiding mandatory law-enforcement integration. The bill also provides a structured funding mechanism and requires periodic reporting and long-term planning.

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

Sign in to ask a question.