Legislation Search

H.R. 2837: Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025

This bill is known as the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025. It aims to establish a federal advisory council dedicated to supporting victims of gun violence. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Establishment of an Advisory Council

The bill proposes the creation of an Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence. This council is designed to bring together various members, including federal officials such as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General, and other leaders from relevant government agencies. Additionally, the council will include victims of gun violence and professionals who assist these victims.

Membership of the Advisory Council

The council will consist of:

High-ranking officials from various departments, including Health and Human Services, Education, and Justice.
Victims of gun violence (at least 2 but not more than 5).
Victim assistance professionals (also at least 2 but not more than 5).

Duties of the Advisory Council

The primary responsibilities of the Advisory Council will include:

Conducting surveys and assessments to understand the needs of gun violence victims and the effectiveness of existing support programs.
Identifying and promoting resources and best practices that can assist victims in various areas such as medical care, legal aid, mental health, and accessing government services.
Gathering and disseminating important information to victims and the public about available resources and best practices.
Preparing an initial report on their findings within 180 days after the bill's enactment, which will be made accessible to the public.
Creating a process for ongoing public input to continuously improve the support provided to victims.

Funding and Administrative Details

The bill specifies that no additional federal funding will be allocated to implement these activities. The Advisory Council will cease to operate five years after the bill becomes law, and it will not be subject to the usual rules governing federal advisory committees.

Definitions Included in the Bill

The bill also provides key definitions, such as:

Gun violence: This term encompasses various incidents, including suicides, homicides, domestic violence, hate crimes, youth violence, mass shootings, unintentional shootings, non-fatal shootings, and threats involving firearms.
Victims of gun violence: Individuals who have been harmed, threatened, or who have witnessed acts of gun violence, as well as those related to individuals killed by such violence.
Victim assistance professionals: Professionals such as medical personnel, social workers, and advocates who provide support to victims.

Public Input and Reporting

The Advisory Council will actively seek public input to understand better the gaps in support for gun violence victims and will produce follow-up reports to ensure that the council remains responsive to the needs of victims over time.