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Panel advances hospital threat-assessment grant framework, with $150,000-per-hospital cap and no appropriation
Summary
House Bill 23-41 was reported as amended to create a Department of Health grant program for threat assessments and security upgrades at nonprofit hospitals, capped at $150,000 per hospital annually and overseen by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; the bill contains no appropriation and funding decisions remain for the appropriations process.
The House Health Committee reported House Bill 23-41 as amended, setting up a framework for a health-care facility threat-assessment grant program administered under the Department of Health and overseen by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Mister Sighet, who explained the bill, said it would allow health-care facilities to apply for grants to conduct threat assessments and to purchase security equipment or supplies, such as metal detectors or trauma kits. The amendment adopted in committee mirrors the nonprofit security grants program and caps awards at $150,000 per nonprofit hospital per year.
Representative Ortega, the sponsor, said the idea grew out of an incident at a UPMC facility in York County and was modeled in part on previous school safety threat-assessment work. “There is no appropriation in the bill,” Ortega said, stressing that the measure sets up the framework for a grant fund but does not provide spending; any appropriation would be decided later by the General Assembly.
Representative Krupa said she would vote no on the bill because of concerns about increased spending amid what she called a structurally deficit budget. “I am gonna be a no vote,” Krupa said, citing budgetary strain and concerns about creating new grant programs without clear appropriations.
Chair Rhett supported the bill’s safety goals but urged that budget negotiations include protections to ensure rural and independently owned hospitals are not left behind; he noted the committee discussed the possibility of guaranteeing a funding percentage for rural hospitals if the program receives funding in the future.
Committee members recorded roll-call votes on the amendment and on the bill; the chair announced both passed and will be reported as amended. The committee also heard that the grant program would be overseen by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and that grant awards must be supplemental and cannot supplant existing hospital spending.
The committee’s action advances the structural framework for the grant program, while leaving appropriation and allocation details to subsequent budget and appropriations processes.
