HB 351: Establish the Ohio Task Force on Gun Violence
The bill establishes an Ohio task force on gun violence to examine and address the issue of gun violence in the state. The task force consists of representatives from various fields, including government, law enforcement, and community organizations. The task force will meet at least monthly and will examine six key areas: the prevalence of gun violence in communities, evidence-based programs to reduce gun violence, best practices for reducing gun violence, community revitalization efforts, criminal justice solutions, and social determinants of health that can assist victims of gun violence. The task force will prepare a report detailing its findings and recommendations within one year of its establishment, which will be submitted to the general assembly.
| Jun. 18, 2025 | Referred to committee: Public Safety |
| Jun. 11, 2025 | Introduced |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
H. B. No. 351
2025-2026
Representatives Brewer, Brownlee
Cosponsors: Representatives Russo, Rader, Jarrells, Brent, White, E., McNally, Brennan, Synenberg, Piccolantonio, Upchurch, Sweeney, Rogers, Grim, Lett, Mohamed, Troy, Robinson
A BILL
To establish the Ohio Task Force on Gun Violence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
There is hereby established the Ohio Task Force on Gun Violence. The Task Force shall consist of the following members:
- The Governor or the Governor's designee;
- The Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee;
- The Executive Director of the Commission on Minority Health or the Executive Director's designee;
- The Director of Children and Youth or the Director's designee;
- The Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court or the Chief Justice's designee;
- Three members of the House of Representatives, two from the majority party and one from the minority party, all appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
- Three members of the Senate, two from the majority party and one from the minority party, all appointed by the Senate President;
- Two members of the community who work to reduce gun violence, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Senate President.
Not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section, the Task Force shall meet to select from its members a chairperson or co-chairpersons. Thereafter, the Task Force shall meet at the call of the chairperson or either co-chairperson, but not less than monthly.
Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation except to the extent that serving on the Task Force is considered part of the member's regular duties of employment.
The Task Force shall examine all of the following:
- The prevalence of gun violence within communities across this state;
- Existing evidence-based programs that help reduce gun violence;
- Best practices that are available to reduce gun violence;
- Community revitalization efforts that can be implemented to prevent gun violence;
- Criminal justice solutions to reduce gun violence in communities;
- Social determinants of health that can be addressed to assist victims of gun violence.
Not later than one year after the effective date of this section, the Task Force shall prepare a report detailing its findings and recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the General Assembly in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code. Upon submission of this report, the Task Force shall cease to exist.
H. B. No. 351 Page 2
As Introduced
There is hereby established the Ohio Task Force on Gun Violence. The Task Force shall consist of the following members:
- The Governor or the Governor's designee;
- The Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee;
- The Executive Director of the Commission on Minority Health or the Executive Director's designee;
- The Director of Children and Youth or the Director's designee;
- The Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court or the Chief Justice's designee;
- Three members of the House of Representatives, two from the majority party and one from the minority party, all appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
- Three members of the Senate, two from the majority party and one from the minority party, all appointed by the Senate President;
- Two members of the community who work to reduce gun violence, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Senate President.
H. B. No. 351 Page 3
As Introduced
The Task Force shall examine all of the following:
- The prevalence of gun violence within communities across this state;
- Existing evidence-based programs that help reduce gun violence;
- Best practices that are available to reduce gun violence;
- Community revitalization efforts that can be implemented to prevent gun violence;
- Criminal justice solutions to reduce gun violence in communities;
- Social determinants of health that can be addressed to assist victims of gun violence.
Not later than one year after the effective date of this section, the Task Force shall prepare a report detailing its findings and recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the General Assembly in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code. Upon submission of this report, the Task Force shall cease to exist.