Assembly Democrats Sponsored Law Creating Program to Support Gun Violence Intervention Initiatives in New Jersey Communities
As sponsors of a new law creating the New Jersey Violence Intervention Program supporting initiatives helping to end recidivism and retaliation among gun violence victims, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin and Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson commend the state’s efforts to create hospital-based and hospital-linked violence intervention programs in nine counties.
“The legislature has passed and signed into law five significant pieces of legislation I’ve sponsored along with my colleagues that will make an impact on those whose lives are affected by gun violence every day. Our aim: to stop the cycle perpetuated by acts of violence in our communities with access to resources when it happens,” said Greenwald (D-Camden, Gloucester).
Assembly Bill 4801 has become a national model in the efforts to reduce gun violence in communities. Senator Cory Booker recently introduced a legislative package targeting urban gun violence in American cities. The Break the Cycle of Violence Act would provide federal grants to help U.S. cities implement evidence-based gun violence intervention and prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence.
“We know that evidence-based violence intervention programs, like the one in place at University Hospital in Newark, work. Moreover, we have seen that success replicated in communities throughout the nation, not just here. I am glad to see recent recognition of this at the federal level as well,” said Assemblywoman Pintor Marin (D-Essex). “These programs are a proven effective tool to combat gun violence. University Hospital has been instrumental in demonstrating how this can work throughout New Jersey, and I look forward to seeing its example adopted by other communities across our state.”
The measure to create the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program was among five bills introduced in March of last year are now law.
These new mandates established the “Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program Initiative’ in the Department of Human Services; require the Victim of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to partner with trauma centers to provide referrals for trauma victims; authorize certain entities providing counseling services to firearm and stabbing injury crime victims to directly bill the Victims of Crime Compensation Agency for counseling; and require Level One or Level Tow trauma centers provide hospital-based or hospital-linked violence intervention programs for firearm or stabbing related injuries.
Governor Murphy joined by Gabby Giffords announced Wednesday nine organizations are set to receive $2 million each to establish a hospital and community-based violence intervention programs, which include: Center for Family Services in Camden County; Trinitas Health Foundation in Union County; Atlantic Care in Atlantic County; Capital Health in Mercer County; Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas in Hudson County; RWJ University Hospital in Middlesex, Somerset and Union Counties; University Hospital in Essex County; Jersey Shore University Medical Center/Hackensack Meridian; Asbury Park in Monmouth County; and St. Joseph’s Health Paterson in Passaic County.
“More hospital-based or Hospital-linked intervention programs in more areas of the state is an investment that will help those most at risk to recidivism and retaliatory acts of gun violence,” added Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer, Hunterdon). “We’ve moved forward today in the fight against gun violence and will continue to do so under the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program now law.”