School Violence Prevention Act

This bill would set up a nationwide grant program to help schools and communities prevent youth gun violence. The federal government, working with the Department of Education, would award grants to build or expand proven, trauma‑informed programs for students in K–12 and youth under 19, including schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. Programs can build life skills like communication and conflict management, support healing from trauma, connect youth to counselors, mentors, crisis teams, and community violence interrupters, and strengthen safe community environments. Schools and nonprofits can also use funds to train teachers and staff, form community partnerships, and collect data to improve results.

• Who is affected: Students in K–12 and youth under 19; public schools (including Bureau of Indian Education schools); teachers and school staff; state and local school agencies working with local nonprofits in areas with high rates of homicides or youth violent crime, or with a unique need for help.
• What changes: Five‑year grants (renewable) are given out across all regions of the country; programs must track outcomes and share data; independent researchers will evaluate selected programs, with results posted online by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; best practices will be shared with the public .
• Funding and timing: Authorizes $25 million each year from fiscal years 2025 through 2031. Grantees can use up to 20% of their grant for evaluation, and the federal government may reserve up to 5% for independent evaluations.