What does Preamble of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to build safer, thriving communities, and save lives, by investing in effective community-based violence reduction initiatives, and for other purposes,' aims to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invest in community-based violence reduction initiatives. The bill's stated purpose is to build safer, thriving communities and save lives.

What does FINDINGS. of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section outlines findings related to community violence in the United States, characterizing it as a significant public health, public safety, and community infrastructure concern. The findings highlight a substantial increase in homicides, with gun violence being the leading cause of death for America's youth and accounting for 80% of all homicides. Disparities in safety are driven by inequitable social and structural factors, disproportionately impacting communities of color, particularly young Black and Brown men and boys. The economic cost of gun violence is estimated at $557,000,000,000 annually. The text identifies several community-based strategies for violence reduction, including community outreach programs, hospital-based violence intervention programs, group violence interventions, and violence interruption/crisis management. Access to job training, entrepreneurship programs, and digital literacy initiatives are presented as effective tools for reducing community violence. The findings emphasize the importance of individualized wraparound services and opportunities, such as housing support, financial assistance, and therapeutic services. The section concludes that sustained investments in community-based violence reduction strategies can reverse recent increases in homicides and reduce associated costs.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section defines key terms used within the Act. “Community violence” is defined as nonfatal firearm injuries, aggravated assaults, homicides, and other life-threatening interpersonal violence, excluding violence motivated by political beliefs and acts within familial or romantic relationships. An “eligible unit of local government” must meet specific criteria, including experiencing a certain number of homicides or having a high homicide rate relative to the national average, or demonstrating a compelling need as determined by the Secretary. “Opportunity youth” are defined as individuals between 16 and 25 years old who are not enrolled in education or training and are not employed.

What does COMMUNITY-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM GRANTS. of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section establishes the Community-Based Violence Intervention Program Grants. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award grants to eligible entities to support, enhance, and replicate coordinated community violence intervention. Eligible entities include community-based, nonprofit organizations serving residents of eligible local government units with a track record of community-related activities, and eligible units of local government. Grant funds must be used to implement coordinated community violence intervention initiatives focused on individuals at high risk of violence victimization or engagement. Initiatives must use evidence-informed strategies, utilize trauma-responsive care, and expand economic opportunity. Local government grant recipients must distribute at least 75% of funds to community-based organizations or violence prevention agencies. Applicants must demonstrate a likelihood of reducing community violence and provide evidence of community support. Grants are for a 4-year period and the federal share is generally 90% of eligible costs, with exceptions. The Secretary may reserve funds for supplemental incentive funds and evaluation/implementation support. Grantees must supplement, not supplant, existing community violence intervention funding.

What does OFFICE OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION. of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section establishes the Office of Community Violence Intervention within the Department of Health and Human Services. The Office will be headed by a director. The Secretary will delegate responsibility for implementing the provisions of this title to the Director of the Office. Up to 5 percent of funds allocated for this title can be reserved for the Office's administrative expenses.

What does COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section establishes a Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee. The Committee will advise the Secretary and Office in carrying out the title. The Committee's duties include developing grant solicitations, raising awareness of solicitations, selecting grant proposals, selecting grantees for supplemental funds, and forming the National Community Violence Response Center. Members will be appointed from individuals with expertise in community violence intervention initiatives. The Secretary must appoint a representative with expertise in workforce development selected by the Secretary of Labor. The Committee's membership must reflect a commitment to culturally competent and trauma-informed approaches. The Committee must include substantial representation of communities of color disproportionately impacted by community violence.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL COMMUNITY VIOLENCE RESPONSE of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section establishes a National Community Violence Response Center (the "Center") to be operated by the Secretary. The Center's duties include developing a taxonomy to assess community violence infrastructure among grantees, providing technical assistance to grantees, and developing intensive site implementation support. The Center is responsible for developing data collection policies and assisting grant recipients in establishing data collection systems to measure various outcomes related to community violence. A Community Violence Research Advisory Council will be established to coordinate research, report to Congress on gaps, and provide advice to the Center. The Center will host a biennial conference for grantees, providers, and stakeholders to discuss challenges, gaps, and promising practices in community violence intervention. The Center is tasked with capacity building, fostering innovation, and identifying strategies for further research and evaluation in community violence intervention and prevention. The Center must annually report to Congress on national trends in community violence statistics, its activities, and recommendations for improving the national response.

What does SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress regarding services for victims of violent crime. Community-based violence intervention programs are recognized as effective in reducing reinjury and retaliation risks for victims and promoting their recovery. Young men, boys, girls, and women of color are disproportionately victimized by community violence and often lack adequate victim services. States and territories are encouraged to use Crime Victims Fund funding to support community-based violence intervention initiatives for high-risk victims.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section authorizes appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services. The authorized amount for fiscal year 2026 is $300,000,000. The authorized amount for fiscal year 2027 is $500,000,000. The authorized amount for each fiscal year from 2028 through 2033 is $700,000,000. These appropriations are in addition to any other amounts already authorized or available to the Department.

What does IMPROVING APPROACHES FOR COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE (IMPACT) of Break the Cycle of Violence Act do?

This section establishes the Improving Approaches for Communities to Thrive (IMPACT) grants program. The Secretary of Labor will award grants to eligible entities for year-round job training and workforce programs for opportunity youth in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence. Eligible entities include community-based nonprofits, Indian Tribes, entities carrying out activities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, apprenticeship programs, community colleges, and local government units. Grantees are required to report on measures such as entry into job training and changes in school enrollment, unemployment, or weekly earnings for participating opportunity youth. The term 'basic skills deficient' is defined as an individual with reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th-grade level or lacking necessary job/life skills. An 'in-demand occupation' is defined as an occupation described in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. A total of $1,500,000,000 is authorized for appropriation for the program from fiscal years 2026 through 2033, with funds remaining available until expended through fiscal year 2033.

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Break the Cycle of Violence Act

Last updated: 6/28/2025 · Introduced: 6/28/2025

Author: Cory Booker (D-NJ)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes grant programs within the Department of Health and Human Services to support community-based violence intervention initiatives in areas experiencing high rates of violence.
The legislation creates the Office of Community Violence Intervention to oversee grant implementation and provide technical assistance to grantees.
A National Community Violence Response Center will be established to assess community violence infrastructure, collect data, and facilitate knowledge sharing among grantees and stakeholders.
The bill authorizes significant funding, totaling $2.5 billion over several years, to support these community violence intervention programs and workforce development initiatives.
It also establishes the Improving Approaches for Communities to Thrive (IMPACT) grants program, administered by the Department of Labor, to provide job training and workforce programs for opportunity youth in communities impacted by gun violence.

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-DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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-DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

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