S1226

The Senate passed legislation requiring hospitals to conduct community impact assessments before closing facilities or reducing services, advancing a bill that died in the Governor's veto last year. Senate Print 1226, sponsored by Sen. Rivera, passed 56-5 on a roll call vote. The measure establishes a standard process for measuring the effect of hospital closures on communities and mandates community participation in that process. Sen. Rivera noted the bill passed nearly unanimously in both chambers previously but was vetoed by the Governor, who promised to address community involvement through administrative action. That action has not materialized, Rivera said, making the legislation still necessary. Senators Gallivan, Griffo, Oberacker, Stec, and Walczyk voted against the measure. The bill takes effect 60 days after becoming law.