Annapolis, MD – Governor Wes Moore yesterday announced the Moore-Miller administration’s 2024 legislative session public safety agenda. The administration is offering bills that will reform the state’s victim compensation program, address recruitment and retention of law enforcement professionals, and create a gun violence prevention and intervention office at the Maryland Department of Health.
Governor Moore also outlined the administration’s vision for juvenile justice focused on prevention, targeted interventions for the most at-risk youth, and accountability—including accountability from young people who commit crimes, state government, and the community. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services provided an update about the progress that the department has made in transforming operations in addition to announcing the expansion of The Thrive Academy, which is an intensive program that helps youth who are most at risk to be perpetrators and victims of gun violence.
Leaders from across the state recognize the importance of Governor Moore’s comprehensive approach to public safety:
“I support Governor Moore’s focus on accountability and his commitment to firearm violence prevention, supporting rehabilitation and accountability for juvenile offenders, and building a pipeline for recruiting and retaining quality law enforcement,” said Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. “I look forward to continuing our work together to create necessary resources to eliminate gun violence and provide rehabilitation for residents looking to turn their lives around in the name of public safety for all Marylanders.”
“Recruitment and retention of sworn and civilian personnel are paramount to the future of law enforcement,” said Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland L. Butler, Jr. “We are committed to investing in the people who make up our force while enhancing the overall effectiveness of our Department.”
“The governor’s legislative package includes positive reforms, most notably addressing gun violence as a public health issue by establishing the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Department of Health, promoting rehabilitative programs rather than detention for justice involved youth at risk for involvement in gun violence, and for providing wellness for officers who with unaddressed trauma are more likely to harm those they are intended to serve,” said Maryland Public Defender Natasha M. Dartigue. “Providing additional funding to OPD is also a positive step towards addressing the inequity that exists with our criminal justice partners, tackling staff shortages and reducing staggering workloads. I look forward to reviewing the specific bills in the governor’s legislative package and providing OPD’s expertise and knowledge on how these bills affect those most impacted.”
“I am honored to stand united with Governor Moore in prioritizing the needs of victims in this upcoming legislative session with the proposal of the Victim’s Compensation Reform Act,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “I fully support the governor’s efforts to provide valuable resources without adding unnecessary stress and red tape to the experience that victims and their families endure when mending their lives after a tragic loss.”
“Governor Moore’s vision for public safety is our vision. Since taking office he has made tremendous strides through strategic partnerships, policy reforms and legislative changes. I was pleased to join him in the announcement of his public safety legislative agenda, which strongly focuses on safety and accountability,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “As a victim-centered office, we support the Victim’s Compensation Reform Act, which is also outlined in my office’s legislative priorities as announced in December. It is our desire to create a more streamlined process for victims and families to quickly receive the financial and other support they need during the time of loss. We are also united in our quest to end gun violence, which is both a public safety and public health crisis. As the governor noted, guns are used in 75% of homicides that are committed across our State. To address this, Maryland will lead the way with legislation to create the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention, which is a major step towards eradicating our streets and communities of guns. Lastly, the Thrive Academy, a similar program to my office’s Family Justice Academy, which focuses on putting at-risk youth and their families on a path to success, will be expanded to Prince George’s County. The governor said it best during the news conference, “it takes a village” to ensure that Maryland is safe for everyone, and we commit to being part of the village as we proactively work to keep our residents safe.”
“In collaboration with Governor Wes Moore, we embrace a visionary public safety legislation package that unveils pragmatic solutions to the pressing challenges of our time,” said Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. “Our success stems from the strength of our partnerships—not only with Governor Moore, but also with our dedicated law enforcement allies, and the vibrant community we serve. Together, we forge a path of common sense and shared commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Maryland residents.”
“This announcement is a testament to the power of advocacy, partnership, and a shared vision for a safer Maryland,” said Community Justice Action Fund Founder Amber Goodwin. “The proposed Center for Firearm Prevention and Intervention is a beacon of hope and will continue to follow the trend of states addressing gun violence as a public health crisis. We commend Governor Moore and his administration for taking a historic step towards ending gun violence in Maryland and look forward to continued partnership with his team to advance this legislative priority in the upcoming session.”
“The health of our communities is only as strong as the wellbeing of its citizens. Gun violence isn’t just a public safety issue, it’s a public health crisis,” said LifeBridge Health President and Chief Executive Officer Neil Meltzer. “The steps announced by Governor Moore and his team to get illegal guns off our streets and hold perpetrators accountable strengthen efforts to save the physical, emotional and ongoing trauma to individuals and communities, as well as the economic costs and larger societal toll to people in our state.”
“The Moore-Miller Administration’s approach of bringing everyone to the table is crucial,” said Rev. Dr. Marlon Tilghman of BRIDGE Maryland and the Maryland Youth Justice Initiative. “As we continue on this path together, may we remain faithful to passing legislation that restores lives and brings hope that public safety is possible for all people—especially our children.”
“When you have credible messengers serving in the community and are allowed to be at the decision table, we will see real change in public safety. The ones that are closest to the problem have the real solutions to the problem. They just need the resources to do the work,“ said We Our Us Director of Operations Cory Barnes. “The collaboration and coordination of the DJS case management team, and We-Our-Us credible messengers have been an effective proactive approach to stopping gun violence.”
“I am thrilled that this administration has embraced a new vision and much needed leadership role in addressing violence through a public health lens,” said University of Baltimore School of Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform Executive Director Heather Warnken. “The governor made clear that a foundational component of that must be supporting the healing and dignity of crime victims, especially those Marylanders who for too long have been most harmed, yet least helped. The Victim Compensation Reform Act will play a critical role in meeting the needs of survivors and reducing their risk of future victimization. That is public safety.”
