Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 6.982 - Office of Gun Violence PreventionThere is hereby reestablished within the PCCD, the office, which shall work to build safer communities across this Commonwealth by supporting policies, strategies and programs designed to better understand, prevent and reduce gun violence in this Commonwealth. The office shall be led by a director, who shall be an employee of the PCCD, reporting to the PCCD's Executive Director, and who will be responsible for overseeing the office's efforts. The office shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Coordinate with the PCCD's commission and advisory committees, and relevant offices and staff, to align and advance efforts to prevent and address gun violence in this Commonwealth, utilizing recommendations made by the Special Council on Gun Violence's Report and Nationally recognized best practices.(2) Convene an advisory group of National, State and community experts, as well as a broad range of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, survivors of gun violence, CVI experts, physical health care and behavioral health practitioners, community-based organizations, law enforcement, public safety professionals, victims' services programs, public health professionals, the PCCD and advisory committee members and other State agencies to help inform the office's work.(3) Coordinate with the PCCD and the Governor's Office to identify and apply for non-State funding to aid in the research, analysis, funding and implementation of Statewide gun violence intervention and prevention strategies.(4) Working closely with Federal, State and local partners, conduct timely data collection and research regarding firearm-related injuries, fatalities and incidents.(5) In conjunction with the PCCD's Office of Victims' Services, identify strategies for improving services and support for gun violence victims, including witnesses, relatives, classmates, coworkers or other associates of individuals who have been killed, injured or threatened by gun violence, as well as address the intersections of gun violence with domestic violence and intimate partner violence.(6) Spearhead the development of a comprehensive youth gun involvement and violence reduction plan for this Commonwealth, including developing forums for hearing directly from youth on motivations for gun possession.(7) Coordinate and advance evidence-based and trauma-informed CVI strategies across this Commonwealth, including hospital and community-based violence intervention programs.(8) Create and maintain a network of CVI and gun violence reduction programs across this Commonwealth through the PA Peace Alliance and other collaborative initiatives, when determined by the office to be appropriate.(9) Coordinate Statewide technical assistance and training focused on violence intervention, prevention and CVI strategies and best practices.(10) Collaborate with DOH's Division of Violence Prevention, DHS and other key stakeholders to support the development and implementation of public awareness campaigns and other strategies to increase knowledge and adoption of resources related to gun violence prevention, including firearm safety practices like safer storage and child access prevention strategies.(11) Develop a gun violence prevention plan for this Commonwealth and a corresponding strategic plan for the office.(12) Create and maintain a comprehensive online gun violence data dashboard and resource hub, informed in part by the DOH, to serve as a "one-stop-shop" for data, research and statistical information regarding gun violence in this Commonwealth.Adopted by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 54, No. 41. October 12, 2024, effective 10/12/2024