Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act

To require the development of a comprehensive rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives. (2) Director The term Director (3) Rural hospital The term rural hospital (A) is located in a non-urbanized area, as determined by the Bureau of the Census; and (B) provides inpatient and outpatient healthcare services, including primary care, emergency care, and diagnostic services. (4) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall develop and transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress a comprehensive rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy to address the growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. (b) Consultation (1) Agencies In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary and Director may consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Labor. (2) Providers In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with rural healthcare providers from each geographic region in the United States. (c) Considerations The rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy developed under subsection (a) shall, at a minimum, consider the following components: (1) Partnerships between rural hospitals, educational institutions, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations to develop, promote, and expand cybersecurity education and training programs tailored to the needs of rural hospitals. (2) The development of a cybersecurity curriculum and teaching resources that focus on teaching technical skills and abilities related to cybersecurity in rural hospitals for use in community colleges, vocational schools, and other educational institutions located in rural areas. (3) Recommendations for legislation, rulemaking, or guidance to implement the components of the rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy. (d) Annual review Not later than 60 days after the date on which the first full fiscal year ends following the date on which the Secretary transmits the rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy developed under subsection (a), and not later than 60 days after the date on which each fiscal year thereafter ends, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes, at a minimum, information relating to— (1) updates to the rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy, as appropriate; (2) any programs or initiatives established pursuant to the rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy, as well as the number of individuals trained or educated through such programs or initiatives; (3) additional recommendations for legislation, rulemaking, or guidance to implement the components of the rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy; and (4) the effectiveness of the rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy in addressing the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. 4. Instructional materials for rural hospitals (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall make available instructional materials for rural hospitals that can be used to train staff on fundamental cybersecurity efforts. (b) Duties In carrying out subsection (a), the Director shall— (1) consult with experts in cybersecurity education and rural healthcare experts; (2) identify existing cybersecurity instructional materials that can be adapted for use in rural hospitals and create new materials as needed; and (3) conduct an awareness campaign to promote the materials available to rural hospitals developed under subsection (a). 5. Implementation Any action undertaken pursuant to this Act shall not be subject to chapter 10

Summary: Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act This bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to develop and annually report to Congress about a workforce development strategy to address the unmet need for cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. Additionally, CISA must disseminate materials that rural hospitals may use to train staff about cybersecurity.