SF 513

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/28/2025 09:07 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing an office of gun violence prevention in the
Department of Health; requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [144.0765] OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall establish and maintain
an office dedicated to preventing gun violence.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Director; staff. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must appoint a director who is highly
knowledgeable about issues related to gun violence.
new text end

new text begin (b) The director may select, appoint, and compensate out of available funds assistants
and employees as necessary to discharge the office's responsibilities.
new text end

new text begin (c) The director and full-time staff shall be members of the Minnesota State Retirement
System.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The office has the following duties:
new text end

new text begin (1) coordinate and promote effective efforts to reduce gun violence and related traumas;
new text end

new text begin (2) coordinate, promote, and conduct research regarding causes of and evidence-based
responses to gun violence;
new text end

new text begin (3) collect and report data on the number of gun-related incidents and deaths in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (4) create public health campaigns on the effects of and reducing gun violence;
new text end

new text begin (5) support and provide resources for victims of gun violence;
new text end

new text begin (6) build partnerships with local, state, and national experts, agencies, and stakeholders
working to reduce gun violence; and
new text end

new text begin (7) serve as a resource to the legislature on gun violence prevention legislation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Collaboration. new text end

new text begin The office must coordinate its efforts with the Department of
Public Safety, including the Office of Justice Programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The office may apply for and receive grants from public and private
entities for purposes of carrying out the office's duties under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Coordination with other organizations. new text end

new text begin In fulfilling its duties, the office may
coordinate with stakeholder groups and state agencies that are invested in reducing gun
violence.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Annual report. new text end

new text begin By February 15 of each year, the office must submit a 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 activities of the
office for the preceding year.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of health to implement this act.
new text end