H.R. 3039: Prioritizing Resources for Outreach, Safety, Violence Prevention, Youth Empowerment and … (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the Prioritizing Resources for Outreach, Safety, Violence Prevention, Youth Empowerment, and Resilience Act of 2025 (or PROSPER Act), focuses on preventing youth gun violence in the United States. The key features of the bill include:

Youth Gun Violence Prevention Program

The bill allows the Attorney General to provide grants to various entities designed to implement youth gun violence prevention programs. These programs are tasked with using several strategies that are:

Evidence-informed: Based on proven methods and research.
Culturally competent: Sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of the youth involved.
Trauma-informed: Aware of the impact of trauma on young lives.
Linguistically and developmentally inclusive: Accessible to youth of different language backgrounds and developmental stages.

Activities Supported by the Grants

The funds from these grants will be used for various activities aimed at reducing the risk of gun violence among young people. Key activities include:

Healing from Trauma: Programs that help young individuals recover from past experiences that may increase their risk of gun violence.
Youth Empowerment: Initiatives that build skills in leadership, empathy, conflict management, and personal identity.
Connection to Professionals: Linking youth with mental health professionals, counselors, and community leaders who can provide support.
Community Engagement: Efforts that foster a sense of belonging and safety within the community.
Gun Violence Prevention Resources: Providing information and tools for safe firearm practices and accessible gun violence hotlines.
Support for Reintegration: Resources aimed at helping youth who have been affected by gun violence or have had encounters with the juvenile justice system.

Funding Authorization

The bill proposes that for the fiscal years 2026 through 2030, a total of:

$100 million will be available for juvenile justice programs.
Of that amount, $25 million will specifically fund the youth gun violence prevention program.

Eligible Entities for Grants

Grants can be awarded to a variety of organizations, including:

Institutions of higher education.
Indian Tribe government agencies.
Non-governmental organizations that serve Indian Tribes.
Community-based organizations.
Local government agencies that are not law enforcement agencies.

Definitions

Several terms are defined in the bill to clarify the scope and intent of the legislation. For example:

Community-based organization: Includes nonprofits focused on community services.
Indian Tribe: Defined according to specific federal laws.

Summary

The PROSPER Act is designed to provide funding and support to programs aimed at preventing youth gun violence through comprehensive and inclusive strategies that address the various factors influencing young people's risks and empower them within their communities.