HF3668

Purpose

The bill would create and fund a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Minnesota Department of Health. Its goal is to lead efforts to prevent gun violence and related traumas in Minnesota, using research, data, public education, and support for victims.

Main Provisions

• Establishment: The commissioner of health must establish and maintain the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. A director knowledgeable about gun violence would be appointed, and the director may hire additional staff as needed. All full-time staff would be members of the Minnesota State Retirement System.
• Duties: The office would
  • coordinate and promote effective efforts to reduce gun violence and related traumas
  • coordinate, promote, and conduct research on causes and evidence-based responses to gun violence
  • collect and report data on gun-related incidents and deaths in Minnesota
  • create public health campaigns about the effects of gun violence and how to reduce it
  • provide resources and support for victims of gun violence
• Collaboration: The office would work with the Department of Public Safety, including the Office of Justice Programs.
• Grants: The office may apply for and receive grants from public and private sources to carry out its duties.
• Coordination: The office may coordinate with stakeholder groups and state agencies involved in reducing gun violence.
• Annual Reporting: By February 15 each year, the office would report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over health and public safety policy and funding, detailing the previous year’s activities.
• Coding for Law: The act would include coding of new law in Minnesota Statutes chapter 144.
• Funding for Implementation: The bill would appropriate money from the general fund in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to implement these provisions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new standalone Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Health, with a dedicated director and staff, new duties focused on gun violence prevention, data collection, research, public health campaigns, and victim resources.
• Establishes new reporting and collaboration requirements and authorizes new appropriations for initial implementation.

Funding and Implementation Timeline

• Appropriations from the general fund to the Department of Health to implement the act would occur in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Relevant Terms - Office of Gun Violence Prevention - Department of Health - gun violence - gun-related incidents - gun-related deaths - traumas - director - Minnesota State Retirement System - public health campaigns - victims of gun violence - research - evidence-based responses - data collection - grants - Department of Public Safety - Office of Justice Programs - annual report - legislative committees (health and public safety) - general fund - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027 - Minnesota Statutes chapter 144 - coordination - stakeholders