Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 5, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-525 and 2.2-526, as follows:
§2.2-525. "Group violence intervention" defined.
As used in this article, "group violence intervention" means comprehensive law-enforcement, prosecutorial, and community-based initiatives, substantially similar to Operation Ceasefire as implemented in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Gang Reduction Programs implemented in Richmond and Los Angeles, California. These programs are documented by the Department of Justice and are carried out by a partnership between members of law enforcement, members of the community, and social services providers and that are designed to (i) reduce violence and homicide, (ii) minimize harm to communities through deterrence and enforcement, and (iii) foster stronger relationships between members of law enforcement and the communities they serve.
§2.2-526. Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund.
A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund (the Fund) and managed by the Office of the Attorney General. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All moneys appropriated by the General Assembly for the Fund, and from any other sources, public or private, shall be paid into the state treasury and be credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made to the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request of the Attorney General.
B. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of implementing violent crime reduction strategies, providing training for law-enforcement officers and prosecutors, providing equipment for law-enforcement agencies, and awarding grants to organizations such as state and local law-enforcement agencies, local attorneys for the Commonwealth, localities, social services providers, and nonprofit organizations that are engaged in group violence intervention efforts.
C. The Office of the Attorney General shall establish an application process for awarding grants from the Fund, including criteria and procedures for determining the amount of a grant. The provisions of the Virginia Procurement Act (§2.2-4300 et seq.) shall not apply to expenditures from the Fund.