PRINTER'S NO. 222

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

228

Session of

2021

INTRODUCED BY SCHWANK, COSTA, FONTANA, KEARNEY, MUTH,

SANTARSIERO, TARTAGLIONE, BREWSTER, KANE AND COMITTA,

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

Nonprofit Security Grant Committee within the Pennsylvania

Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania

Nonprofit Security Grant Fund.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:

Sec.

78A07. Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

78A08. Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Fund.

§ 78A01. Scope of chapter.

This chapter relates to the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security

Grant Program.

§ 78A02. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

(1) Security enhancements that may include, but are not

limited to:

(i) Safety and security planning.

(ii) Safety and security equipment and purchase of

security-related technology, which may include, but is

not limited to:

(A) Metal detectors.

(B) Protective lighting.

(C) Specialty-trained canines.

(D) Surveillance equipment.

(I) Theft control devices.

(iii) Safety and security training.

(iv) Threat awareness and response training.

(v) Upgrades to existing structures that enhance

safety and security.

(vi) Vulnerability and threat assessments.

(vii) Any other safety or security-related use that

enhances safety or security of a nonprofit organization.

(2) Public outreach programs designed to reduce violence

in the community by encouraging increased communication,

Program established under section 78A07(a) (relating to

Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Program).

"Nonprofit organization." A corporation or other entity that

is an exempt organization as provided for under section 501(c)

(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26

U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)).

"Safety and security assessment" or "assessment." A

strategic evaluation of the facilities of a nonprofit

organization that is used to identify potential safety and

security threats.

chairperson and the following members:

(1) The Attorney General or a designee.

(2) The Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police or a

designee.

(3) The director of the agency or a designee.

(4) The chairperson of the commission or a designee.

(5) The chairperson of the Pennsylvania Human Relations

Commission or a designee.

(6) An individual with experience in the subject matter

appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.

Representatives.

(10) A recognized subject matter expert appointed by the

Governor.

(c) Chairperson.--The chairperson of the committee shall be

selected by the Governor from among the members of the

committee.

(d) Vice chairperson.--A vice chairperson shall be

designated by the chairperson of the committee from among the

members of the committee to preside at meetings in the absence

of the chairperson.

all actions.

(g) Actions.--A vote of the majority of the members of the

committee present shall be sufficient for all actions taken by

the committee.

(h) Initial meeting.--The committee shall hold its first

meeting no later than 30 days from the effective date of this

subsection.

(i) Compensation.--Members of the committee shall serve

without compensation for their services. Members of the

committee under subsection (b)(6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) shall

(a) Duty to establish.--No later than October 31, 2020, the

committee shall establish criteria to be used when evaluating

the following:

(1) Applications submitted under this chapter for

proposed security enhancements to the facility or facilities

of a nonprofit organization, including:

(i) A review of the safety and security assessment

form submitted with an application for a grant under this

chapter.

(ii) A review of the nonprofit organization's safety

security vulnerabilities of the facility or facilities of

the nonprofit organization.

(v) An evaluation of the nonprofit organization's

policies relating to safety and security issues.

(vi) An analysis of how the proposed security

enhancements will address the indicated security

vulnerabilities.

(2) Applications submitted under this chapter that

include proposed public outreach programs designed to reduce

violence in the community by encouraging increased

2020, the committee shall establish criteria for registration of

a person with knowledge and experience in matters of safety and

security that qualifies the person to conduct safety and

security assessments based upon the criteria established by the

committee under section 78A04 (relating to criteria) beginning

October 31, 2020.

( b) Qualified persons.--Persons registered to conduct school

safety and security assessments under section 1304-B of the act

of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School

Code of 1949, shall be qualified to conduct safety and security

(d) Registration.--A person shall apply for registration as

an assessment provider to the committee in a manner prescribed

by the committee.

§ 78A06. Safety and security assessments.

(a) Development.--No later than October 31, 2019, the

committee shall develop a safety and security assessment form to

distribute to nonprofit organizations for submission with an

application for a grant under this chapter.

(b) Confidentiality.--Any data collected through the safety

and security assessment form by the committee and the findings

organizations throughout this Commonwealth to fund eligible

uses.

(b) Functions generally.--The committee shall perform all

functions related to the direct approval, disbursement and

administration of grants under the program.

(c) Applications.--No later than September 1, 2020, and by

September 1 of each year thereafter, the committee shall accept

applications from nonprofit organizations for a grant during a

fiscal year. The applications must be submitted in the form and

manner prescribed by the committee.

(2) A nonprofit organization may revise and resubmit a

denied application to the committee. The committee shall make

a reasonable effort to assist the nonprofit organization in

the revision and resubmission of the denied application.

(3) The committee may engage registered assessment

providers to complete the review required under this

subsection.

(e) Time frame.--The committee shall review applications on

a rolling basis and shall accept applications until all grant

program money for the fiscal year is exhausted.

this Commonwealth.

(h) Limitation.--Each nonprofit organization may submit one

application annually. No nonprofit organization may receive an

annual grant allocation that exceeds 10% of the money available

under the grant program.

(i) Coordination.--The committee shall coordinate with the

commission and the agency on the interaction of the grant

program with the Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program

administered by the United States Department of Homeland

Security to ensure the most effective use of resources.

(a) Establishment.--The Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security

Grant Fund is established as a special nonlapsing fund in the

State Treasury.

(b) Appropriation.--All money deposited in the fund and the

interest it accrues are appropriated to the commission on a

continuing basis to award grants under this chapter.

(c) Use.--The fund may only be used for the grant program

authorized under this chapter, and no money in the fund may be

transferred or diverted to any other purpose by administrative

action.

(f) Administrative costs.--No more than 1% of the fund may

be used for reasonable administrative costs.