SB 536: Firearm Violence Research Center: gun violence restraining orders.

Existing law requests the Regents of the University of California to establish and administer a Firearm Violence Research Center to research firearm-related violence. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that the university report, on or before December 31, 2017, and every 5 years thereafter, specified information regarding the activities of the center and information pertaining to research grants that the center awards. Existing law requires the center and the grant recipients to provide copies of their research publications to the Legislature and specified agencies. Existing law specifies that those provisions would apply to the university only to the extent that the regents, by resolution, make any of those provisions applicable to the university.

This bill would require the Department of Justice to make information relating to gun violence restraining orders that is maintained in the California Restraining and Protective Order System, or any similar database maintained by the department, available to researchers affiliated with the center, or, at the discretion of the department, to any other entity that is concerned with the study and prevention of violence, as specified, for academic and policy research purposes, provided that any material identifying individuals is not transferred, revealed, or used for other than research or statistical activities and reports or publications derived therefrom do not identify specific individuals.