A03005 (Chap. 55): 2025-2026 Budget Establishes NY Office of Gun Violence Prevention

What the Law Does

Part MM of Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2025 (the state public protection and general government budget) formally establishes the New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention^[1]. The office is tasked with coordinating the state's gun violence reduction strategy, including community-based violence intervention (CVI) programs, data collection and analysis, and interagency coordination between law enforcement, health, and social services agencies.

The budget bill is an omnibus measure covering wide-ranging public protection topics. The firearms-relevant provisions include establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (Part MM), restoring 20-year service retirement for NYPD officers (Part SS), and lowering the minimum hiring age for correction officers to 18 (Part ZZ)^[2]. The Senate companion S03005 was substituted by A03005C.

Current Status

Signed into law as Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2025 on May 9, 2025. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention is operational.

What to Watch

The office's effectiveness will depend on its budget allocation, staffing, and whether it has actual authority to direct resources or serves primarily as a coordinating body. Watch for the office's first annual report and whether CVI grant programs receive increased funding in the 2026-2027 budget cycle. The standalone bill to create this office (A02084/S01289) remains pending in committee, suggesting the budget vehicle was the preferred path for enactment.