A proposed bill in Pennsylvania seeks to establish a hospital security grant fund to help nonprofit hospitals improve safety measures. The bill would allow hospitals to apply for up to $150,000 in grants annually to fund trauma kits, metal detectors, and security assessments to identify potential threats. Inspiration behind the legislationState Rep. Tom Mehaffie of Dauphin County said the legislation was inspired by the shooting and hostage situation at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, which resulted in the death of a police officer. “It will put them over the top. I think it’s an initiative first of doing the assessment. Once you see the assessment, you’re going to go as a hospital administrator, okay, there’s something I got to do here, and it can be simple. It can be as simple as moving a dumpster. You know, we saw this when we did the school grants,” Mehaffie said. The bill was approved by the House Health Committee this week. Security steps already underwaySome hospitals have already taken steps to enhance security.York-based WellSpan Health has established a private, armed, 24/7 police department to work alongside its existing security teams.The department handles less serious crimes, enforces campus policies, and protects staff and visitors.WellSpan has also implemented upgraded scanning systems at all its facilities for visitors and staff.
A proposed bill in Pennsylvania seeks to establish a hospital security grant fund to help nonprofit hospitals improve safety measures.
The bill would allow hospitals to apply for up to $150,000 in grants annually to fund trauma kits, metal detectors, and security assessments to identify potential threats.
Inspiration behind the legislation
State Rep. Tom Mehaffie of Dauphin County said the legislation was inspired by the shooting and hostage situation at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, which resulted in the death of a police officer.
“It will put them over the top. I think it’s an initiative first of doing the assessment. Once you see the assessment, you’re going to go as a hospital administrator, okay, there’s something I got to do here, and it can be simple. It can be as simple as moving a dumpster. You know, we saw this when we did the school grants,” Mehaffie said.
The bill was approved by the House Health Committee this week.
Security steps already underway
Some hospitals have already taken steps to enhance security.
York-based WellSpan Health has established a private, armed, 24/7 police department to work alongside its existing security teams.
The department handles less serious crimes, enforces campus policies, and protects staff and visitors.
WellSpan has also implemented upgraded scanning systems at all its facilities for visitors and staff.