SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2022 SESSION

  • | print version

HB 833 Group violence intervention; definition, Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund created.

Introduced by: Tony O. Wilt | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Group violence intervention; establishment of Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund. Creates the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund (the Fund) to be managed by the Office of the Attorney General. The bill provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to implement violent crime reduction strategies, to provide training for law-enforcement officers and prosecutors, to provide equipment for law-enforcement agencies, and to award grants to organizations that are involved in group violence intervention efforts. The bill defines "group violence intervention" as comprehensive law-enforcement, prosecutorial, and community-based initiatives, substantially similar to Operation Ceasefire as implemented in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Gang Reduction Programs implemented in Los Angeles, California, and Richmond.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Group Violence Intervention Board; Division of Group Violence Intervention; Project Ceasefire Grant Fund; Project Exit Grant Fund; report. Establishes the Group Violence Intervention Board to coordinate and assist federal, state, and local group violence intervention efforts. The bill also establishes within the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department) the Division of Group Violence Intervention (the Division), to be headed by an executive director appointed by the Director of the Department. The bill provides that the Division is responsible for (i) coordinating the efforts of members of state and local law enforcement, community members, and social services providers to combat group violence; (ii) serving as a clearinghouse for research, best practices, and strategies that may be utilized in the implementation, execution, and evaluation of group violence interventions; and (iii) implementing and administering various federal, state, and local grant funds that aid group violence intervention efforts. Finally, the bill creates the Project Ceasefire Grant Fund, which provides money to organizations that are involved in group violence intervention efforts, and creates the Project Exit Grant Fund, which provides money to organizations that assist former gang members or individuals attempting to leave gangs.