AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

Firearms

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Gorman
Last action: 2026-06-18
Official status: Passed 6/18/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

HB369: Creates a State Office for Gun Violence Prevention

This bill makes permanent an office within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security that coordinates state efforts to prevent gun violence.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety inside the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Requires the Secretary of the department to name a Director for this new office from within the Department.
Assigns duties to the Director, including acting as a contact between different levels of government and community groups.
Allows the Governor to assign staff from their own office to help with outreach and engagement.
Orders all state agencies related to gun violence safety to cooperate fully with the new Office.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security
State departments, agencies, councils, and committees dealing with gun violence prevention
Community-based organizations working on community safety programs

Terms To Know

Codifies: Turns a temporary rule or order into permanent written law.
Liaison: A person who acts as an official link between different groups to help them communicate and work together.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not list specific amounts of money or funding for the new office.
The text does not state when this law will officially take effect after being signed by the Governor.

Bill History

2026-06-18 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 4 NO 2 ABSENT
2026-06-10 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Corrections & Public Safety) in Senate with 4 Favorable
2026-05-14 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By House. Votes: 27 YES 12 NO 2 ABSENT
2026-05-14 Delaware General Assembly
Assigned to Corrections & Public Safety Committee in Senate
2026-05-05 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 6 On Its Merits
2026-04-16 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.
This Act codifies Executive Order No. 9 issued on May 1, 2025, by Governor Matthew Meyer regarding the establishment, within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Gorman & Sen. Lockman

Reps. Morrison, Neal, Chukwuocha, Ortega, Harris, Romer; Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Pinkney, Poore

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 369

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 82, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

8239. Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

(a) There is hereby established, within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, an Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety (Office).

(b) The Secretary must designate a qualified individual from within the Department to serve as Director of the Office. The Director has the following duties:

(1) Serve as the primary intergovernmental liaison on matters related to gun violence and community safety.

(2) Facilitate coordination among state, county, and municipal governments.

(3) Serve as a liaison to community based and external organizations for state, county, and municipal programs.

(4) Promote interagency cooperation and responsiveness on gun violence and community safety matters.

(5) Serve as the coordinator for state governmental efforts addressing gun violence and community safety.

(6) Identify and report recurring gun violence issues across the State to the Secretary.

(c) The Governor may designate a staff member within the Office of the Governor to support the efforts of the Office and manage community engagement and outreach.

(d) The Office must advise and assist the Governor and the Secretary with respect to the following:

(1) Gun violence prevention and intervention efforts.

(2) The coordination of responsibilities outlined in subsection (b) of this section.

(e) All State departments, agencies, interagency councils, and committees with relevance to gun violence prevention and community safety must provide full cooperation and assistance to the Office. The Office may, upon request, assist departments and agencies with related matters.

SYNOPSIS

This Act codifies Executive Order No. 9 issued on May 1, 2025, by Governor Matthew Meyer regarding the establishment, within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.