The bill proposes the establishment of a violent crime reduction grant program under section 5502.72 of the Revised Code, aimed at providing financial support to eligible applicants, which include municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices. The program is designed to fund strategies that effectively reduce and prevent violent crime, utilizing promising or proven methods as identified by peer-reviewed research or federal guidance. The Division of Criminal Justice Services will administer the program, which includes specific guidelines for grant usage, such as implementing crime reduction strategies, purchasing necessary technology, and providing training for personnel involved in these initiatives.

Additionally, the bill outlines the criteria for grant applications, prioritizing those strategies that have undergone causal methodology evaluations. It mandates that at least 20% of the funds awarded each fiscal year be allocated to clearance rate improvement projects, with provisions for waiving this requirement under certain conditions. Grantees are required to report on violent crimes during the grant term, and the Division of Criminal Justice Services will monitor compliance and evaluate program outcomes in collaboration with a qualified research partner. The bill emphasizes transparency and accountability by requiring public reporting of grant awards and program effectiveness.