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HF 3668

Office of gun violence prevention established in the Department of Health, report required, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patty Acomb and 33 co-sponsors

Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within MDH to coordinate data-driven public health strategies, fund programs, and report on trends and outcomes.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Health Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 3668

Summary of HF 3668 (Minnesota 2025-2026)

Title

Office of gun violence prevention established in the Department of Health, report required, and money appropriated.

Purpose and Intent

HF 3668 would establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) within the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The core aim is to advance statewide efforts to prevent gun-related injuries and deaths through coordinated public health approaches, data collection, program development, and reporting. The bill also authorizes an appropriation to fund the office and its activities.

Key Provisions

  • Creation of OGVP: Establishes a dedicated office within MDH focused on gun violence prevention.
  • Authority and Responsibilities: The OGVP would be responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating public health strategies to reduce firearm injuries and deaths. This includes:
    • Collecting and analyzing gun violence data to inform policy and program decisions.
    • Coordinating with state agencies, local governments, health systems, researchers, and community organizations.
    • Developing prevention programs, educational campaigns, and evidence-based interventions.
    • Advising state leadership on best practices for reducing gun violence.
  • Reporting Requirements: The bill requires regular reporting on gun violence trends, program outcomes, and the effectiveness of prevention strategies. Reports would likely be submitted to the Legislature and relevant committees.
  • Funding and Appropriations: Establishes a dedicated appropriation to fund the OGVP’s creation and ongoing activities, including staffing, data systems, grants, and program implementation. Specific dollar amounts and funding timelines would be detailed in the fiscal provisions of the bill.
  • Coordination with Other Entities: The OGVP would collaborate with public health partners, law enforcement, mental health services, and community groups to implement prevention measures and evaluate impact.
  • Sunset or Evaluation Provisions: The bill may include provisions for evaluation of the OGVP’s effectiveness over time and potential sunset or continuation based on outcomes, though exact language would be in the bill’s later sections.

Who is Affected

  • Public Health System: MDH will house the new OGVP and coordinate its work across state agencies.
  • State and Local Governments: Agencies involved in health, safety, and policy implementation would engage with the OGVP.
  • Healthcare Providers and Public Health Entities: Partners in data collection, program delivery, and evaluation.
  • Communities Affected by Gun Violence: Beneficiaries of prevention programs, outreach, and education.
  • General Public: Through improved prevention efforts, data-informed policies, and potential changes in related health and safety programming.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and First Reading: HF 3668 introduced and referred to the Health Finance and Policy committee (as of 2026-02-23).
  • Next Steps in Committee: The committee would review, amend if needed, and vote to move the bill toward floor action. If passed, it would proceed to the full House for consideration, then to the Senate (if bicameral process applies).
  • Fiscal Notes and Implementation Timeline: The bill would include appropriations details, with start dates likely aligning with the upcoming fiscal year. Full implementation would depend on budget approvals and any required rulemaking or administrative actions by MDH.
  • Reporting Schedule: Regular progress and outcome reports would be due to the Legislature per statutory requirements outlined in the bill.

Notes for Readers

  • The bill focuses on public health approaches rather than criminal justice alone, emphasizing data-driven prevention, cross-agency collaboration, and community partnerships.
  • Specific funding amounts, program grant details, and performance metrics would be specified in the fiscal provisions and any accompanying summary statements or fiscal notes.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular stakeholders (e.g., local governments, healthcare providers) or extract the precise fiscal figures and reporting timelines from the bill text once available.

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

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