The bill establishes the Community Violence Task Force within the Department of Law Enforcement, aimed at addressing high crime rates and violence in urban core neighborhoods. The task force will consist of members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House, including representatives from law enforcement associations and the Secretary of Children and Families. Members are to be appointed by August 1, 2025, and will serve without compensation, although they are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses. The task force will meet at the discretion of its chair and is prohibited from conducting meetings via teleconference or electronic means.
The task force is tasked with reviewing system failures contributing to crime and violence, developing recommendations for solutions, and improving interagency communication. It will have the authority to access exempt or confidential information related to crime in urban areas, which must be kept confidential. A report detailing its findings and recommendations is required to be submitted to the Governor and legislative leaders by June 1, 2027, after which the task force will expire on June 30, 2027. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.