(1)(a) There is created in the department the office of gun violence prevention to coordinate and promote effective efforts to reduce gun violence and related traumas and promote research regarding causes of, and evidence-based responses to, gun violence.(b) The executive director of the department shall appoint the director of the office of gun violence prevention pursuant to section 13 of article XII of the state constitution.(c) The director shall appoint staff necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the office. At a minimum, the office must have, in addition to the director, one full-time equivalent employee in state fiscal year 2021-22 and two full-time equivalent employees in state fiscal year 2022-23.(2) In order to effectively carry out its responsibilities, the office may collaborate with other state agencies, including the address confidentiality program created in section 24-30-2104; the office of suicide prevention established in section 25-1.5-101(1)(w); the safe2tell program created in section 24-31-606; the school safety resource center created in section 24-33.5-1803; the department of education; the behavioral health administration in the department of

fe2tell program created in section 24-31-606; the school safety resource center created in section 24-33.5-1803; the department of education; the behavioral health administration in the department of human services; the office of the attorney general; and the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety. The office may also collaborate with individuals, educational institutions, health-care providers, and organizations with expertise in gun violence prevention and gun safety, including gun dealers, shooting ranges, and firearms safety instructors.Amended by 2022 Ch. 222,§60, eff. 7/1/2022.Added by 2021 Ch. 270,§1, eff. 6/19/2021.L. 2021: Entire part added, (HB 21-1299), ch. 1560, p. 1560, § 1, effective June 19.