The proposed legislation, known as the Center for Gun Violence Research Act, aims to establish and fund a dedicated research center in Pennsylvania focused on gun violence. The General Assembly recognizes gun violence as a significant public health and safety issue, with Pennsylvania ranking high in gun-related deaths, particularly among children and teenagers. The act seeks to fill the gap left by the reduction of federal funding for gun violence research, particularly due to the Dickey Amendment, by providing state funding for academic research to better understand the causes of gun violence and develop effective prevention strategies.

The center will be administered by a university selected by the Governor and will conduct nonpartisan research on various aspects of gun violence, including its societal impacts and the effectiveness of existing laws. The center is tasked with collaborating with state and local governments, conducting interdisciplinary research, and maintaining a publicly accessible website for its findings. Funding for the center will be provided annually by the General Assembly, and the center may also award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations for additional research. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.