BILL NUMBER: S8724
SPONSOR: WEIK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring security
at all publicly accessible entrances of general hospitals
 
PURPOSE:
To enhance public safety and emergency response in hospitals by requir-
ing comprehensive security measures, including either on-site trained
security or locking doors at publicly accessible entrances, and the
provision of wearable panic buttons capable of immediately alerting
security or law enforcement during emergencies.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new section,2805-aa to the Public Health Law requiring
every general hospital to have either on-site trained security personnel
or locking doors at publicly accessible entrances and to provide employ-
ees with a wearable panic button.
Section 2 provides that this act shall take effect on the two hundred
eighty-eighth day after it becomes law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Hospitals, and particularly emergency rooms, are high-risk environments
where the safety of patients, staff, and visitors must be a top priori-
ty. While current security practices vary by facility, gaps in coverage
and outdated procedures can leave employees vulnerable during dangerous
situations. This legislation addresses those gaps by requiring general
hospitals to maintain either an on-site security presence or locking
doors at all publicly accessible entrances. In addition, it mandates the
use of wearable employee panic buttons that allow staff to instantly
alert security or law enforcement if a threat arises.
These devices empower employees to act quickly and independently, even
when security staff are unavailable, ensuring that help can be
dispatched immediately. By combining physical access controls with
rapid-alert technology, this legislation provides a balanced and practi-
cal approach to protecting hospital personnel and patients.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the two hundred eighty-eighth day after it
shall have become a law.