Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention - Resources, Tools, and Educational Materials

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0223*

HOUSE BILL 223
J1, E4 6lr1195
HB 934/25 – JUD (PRE–FILED)
By: Delegate Lopez
Requested: October 14, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Judiciary

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention – Resources, Tools, 2
and Educational Materials 3

FOR the purpose of altering the powers of the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and 4
Intervention to include the creation of certain resources, tools, and educational 5
materials related to firearms; authorizing the Center to consult with State and local 6
agencies and third–party organizations in carrying out those powers; and generally 7
relating to the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention. 8

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
Article – Health – General 10
Section 13–5201 and 13–5202(b) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
Article – Health – General 15
Section 13–5204 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 20

Article – Health – General 21

13–5201. 22

In this subtitle, “Center” means the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and 23
Intervention. 24
2 HOUSE BILL 223

13–5202. 1

(b) The purpose of the Center is to reduce firearm violence, harm from firearm 2
violence, and misuse of firearms in the State by partnering with federal, State, and local 3
agencies and affected communities to implement a public health approach to firearm 4
violence reduction. 5

13–5204. 6

(a) The Center shall: 7

(1) Work in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, 8
Youth, and Victim Services or any successor agency, the Maryland State Police, and any 9
other relevant State or local agency to ensure a multidepartmental approach to reducing 10
firearm violence; 11

(2) Solicit and consider recommendations from: 12

(i) Communities disproportionately impacted by firearm violence; 13

(ii) Public health experts; 14

(iii) Individuals or organizations with expertise in firearm safety and 15
training; and 16

(iv) Any other experts, groups, or organizations as the executive 17
director determines appropriate and necessary; and 18

(3) (i) On or before May 1, 2025, submit a preliminary State Plan for a 19
Public Health Approach to Reducing Firearm Violence to guide the work of the Center to 20
the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State Government Article, the 21
General Assembly; and 22

(ii) On or before May 1, 2029, and every 4 years thereafter, submit a 23
State Strategic Plan for Firearm Violence Reduction Using Public Health Strategies to the 24
Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State Government Article, the General 25
Assembly. 26

(b) The Center may: 27

(1) Offer training and technical assistance to State and local agencies, 28
health care professionals, and community and faith –based organizations to increase 29
capacity to implement evidence –based firearm violence prevention and intervention 30
strategies; 31

HOUSE BILL 223 3

(2) Issue best practice guidance and model processes in consultation with 1
affected communities regarding i mplementation of evidence –based firearm violence 2
prevention and intervention strategies; 3

(3) In consultation with the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, 4
and Victim Services or any successor agency, facilitate cross –jurisdictional data and 5
information sharing; 6

(4) (I) Conduct public awareness campaigns AND CREATE 7
RESOURCES, TOOLS, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS RELATED TO: 8

1. THE SECURE STORAGE OF FIREARMS; 9

2. EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDERS; 10

3. SUICIDE PREVENTION , INCLUDING THE 9–8–8 11
SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE; AND 12

4. ANY OTHER TOPICS THE CENTER DETERMINES 13
APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY TO PROMOTE FIREARM SAFETY IN THE STATE; AND 14

(II) CONSULT WITH STATE AND LOCAL AGENC IES AND 15
THIRD–PARTY ORGANIZATIONS IN CARRYING OUT THE POWERS ESTABLISHED 16
UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS ITEM; 17

(5) Share data and collaborate with higher education and research 18
institutions regarding the prevention of firearm violence; 19

(6) Promote the development of evidence –based firearm violence 20
prevention initiatives in affected communities throughout the State; and 21

(7) Engage in any other activity consistent with the Center’s mission. 22

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 23
October 1, 2026. 24