Break the Cycle of Violence Act (S. 2203)

Break the Cycle of Violence Act

This bill establishes federal grant programs and related entities to support violence intervention initiatives.

Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for coordinated community violence intervention initiatives in communities disproportionately impacted by homicides and community violence. HHS must also establish several related entities, including

• an Office of Community Violence Intervention to administer programs and activities related to violence intervention;
• the Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee to advise and assist the office and HHS; and
• the National Community Violence Response Center to provide training and technical assistance, coordinate research, and develop data collection policies.

Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants for job training and workforce programs in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence to connect youth ages 16 to 24 to in-demand occupations.