Louisiana § RS 40:2024 - Violence prevention

§ RS 40:2024. Violence prevention

            A. The legislature of the state of Louisiana declares that violence shall be recognized and addressed as a public safety and health crisis utilizing a public safety and health data-based approach.

            B. The Louisiana Department of Health shall conduct a review of violence prevention factors, activities, and strategies, taking into consideration the following:

            (1) The specifics of violence, including crimes of violence, gang violence, and domestic violence in communities.

            (2) The root causes of violence in the community, which may include poverty, lack of quality education, lack of affordable housing, food insecurity, unemployment, and untreated trauma.

            (3) Community conditions, which may include a comparison of community conditions and opportunities for communities with a high risk of violence and those with a lesser risk of violence in order to identify and create greater safety for high-risk communities through community surroundings. For the purposes of this Section, community surroundings include but are not limited to streets, parks, schools, community-based organizations, youth and community centers, and places of worship.

            (4) A commitment for violence prevention efforts to focus on addressing and healing individual, interpersonal, and community trauma inflicted as a result of violence.

            C. The Louisiana Department of Health shall prepare a written report to the legislature, no later than February 1, 2026, that provides information and recommendations on the following:

            (1) The current violence prevention activities occurring across Louisiana state offices to outline the continuum of current activities related to violence prevention.

            (2) Promotional strategies for supporting conflict resolution and violence prevention-related programs and services.

            (3) Strategies for incorporating a public safety and health approach to improve social determinants of safety and health for communities most affected by violence.

            D. The Louisiana Department of Health may coordinate with institutions of higher learning and nongovernmental organizations to collect and evaluate information in developing the recommendations to be presented to the legislature.

            Acts 2024, No. 772, §1.