Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention - Resources, Tools, and Educational Materials
HB 223 expands the duties of Maryland’s Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention. The bill keeps the Center’s existing public-health mission of reducing firearm violence and misuse, but specifically authorizes it to create resources, tools, and educational materials on firearm safety topics. Those topics include secure firearm storage, extreme risk protective orders, suicide prevention, the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and any other subjects the Center determines are needed to promote firearm safety.
The bill also allows the Center to consult with State and local agencies and third-party organizations when developing those materials and carrying out its work. It preserves and reinforces the Center’s broader role in training, technical assistance, best-practice guidance, data sharing, collaboration with research institutions, and development of evidence-based prevention initiatives. The bill would take effect October 1, 2026, and would amend the Health – General Article provisions governing the Center.
HB 223 would amend § 13-5204 of the Health – General Article to expressly add educational-materials and resource-development authority to the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention. It would not repeal the Center’s core purpose or create a new agency, but it would broaden the Center’s operational powers and clarify that it may work with government partners and outside organizations to produce firearm-safety outreach materials. The bill affects the Center, State and local agencies, public health and community organizations, and entities involved in firearm violence prevention, suicide prevention, and firearm safety education.
The available record shows no committee transcript or vote tally, and the bill was ultimately withdrawn by the sponsor in the House. Based on the bill text, the measure appears framed as a public-health and educational expansion rather than a regulatory restriction, suggesting a generally preventive and informational policy approach. Because there is no recorded debate in the provided materials, there is no documented split in sentiment, but the withdrawal indicates the proposal did not advance to enactment in this form.
The main policy issues likely center on the scope of the Center’s role and the inclusion of firearm-related educational content such as secure storage, extreme risk protective orders, and suicide prevention. Supporters would likely view the bill as a practical way to improve outreach and prevention through evidence-based materials and partnerships, while any opposition would likely focus on whether the Center should be expanding into public education and collaboration with third parties, or on broader concerns about state involvement in firearm policy. No specific objections are documented in the provided materials, and no recorded committee discussion is available.