School Violence Prevention Act

The School Violence Prevention Act would create a new federal grant program under the Public Health Service Act to prevent youth gun violence by supporting comprehensive, school-based violence prevention efforts. The program is designed to fund partnerships among state and local educational agencies and community-based organizations to implement evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally competent services for students up to age 19 who are at highest risk of involvement in gun violence. Grants would emphasize mental health connections, social-emotional learning, and community engagement, with a strong focus on measuring outcomes and sharing best practices. Funding is authorized at $25 million annually for 2025–2031, with a five-year grant term and opportunities for renewal. The act outlines eligibility criteria (high-violence districts with documented need and at least one community nonprofit partner), grant activities (program implementation, technical assistance, partnerships, professional development, and data collection), and rigorous evaluation requirements (outcome measures disaggregated by student subgroups, regular reporting, and independent evaluations). It also directs equitable geographic distribution of funds and requires reporting to Congress based on evaluation results and lessons learned. The bill would rename and reorganize parts of the Public Health Service Act to accommodate this new program.