Senate Bill No. 203, introduced by Senator Duplessis, aims to establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections in Louisiana. The office will be responsible for conducting research on gun violence and making policy recommendations to reduce it. It will operate under the direct supervision of the superintendent of state police and will be administered by a coordinator appointed by the governor, who must be confirmed by the Senate. The bill emphasizes a collaborative approach, requiring the office to work with various community stakeholders to identify the root causes of gun violence and develop strategies to address them.

Additionally, the bill mandates the office to submit an initial written plan of action to the legislature by February 1, 2026, detailing how it will incorporate a public safety and health approach into gun violence prevention programs. The office is also authorized to collaborate with higher education institutions and non-governmental organizations to gather and evaluate data for its strategies. Furthermore, it can receive and expend funds from various sources, including state appropriations, federal funds, and private donations, to fulfill its mission. The provisions of this bill will take effect on August 1, 2024.