Nonprofit hospitals could receive state grants for security upgrades

State officials would award grants for hospital security projects. Only nonprofit hospitals licensed by Pennsylvania's Department of Health could apply. Awards would require approval and available money, and officials could reduce grant amounts. Grants would have to add to existing funding rather than replace it. Hospitals could use no more than 10% of an award for overhead costs. The program would expire July 1, 2031.

The budget secretary would transfer $10 million to a hospital security fund. The transfer would use unused or uncommitted prior-year money from executive agencies under the governor's control. Program administration could use at most 3% of funding. The transfer could not leave a shortfall in any source budget. Lawmakers could provide additional money beginning in fiscal year 2026–2027. The act would take effect 60 days after becoming law, with the transfer due within 30 more days. Unused or uncommitted fund money would return to the state budget on July 1, 2029.

State officials would give certain hospital applications priority when awarding grants. The other priority would cover nonprofit hospitals in officially designated areas with too little medical care, within counties with fewer than 284 people per square mile. One priority would require both reported violence or threats against the hospital or staff and a project addressing findings from a recently completed security assessment. Priority would not guarantee an award.