S 2169

Summary

Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a workforce development strategy to address the need for cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. Among other topics, the strategy must consider (1) partnerships between rural hospitals, hospitals that are not rural hospitals, educational institutions, and private nonprofit or for-profit entities; and (2) the development of a cybersecurity curriculum for use in rural educational institutions. HHS must annually brief Congress on the strategy and any programs or initiatives established thereunder. Additionally, HHS must disseminate free materials that rural hospitals may use to train staff about cybersecurity.

Bill status

Status

Reported

Sponsor

Sen. Josh Hawley [R-MO]

Cosponsors

6

Policy area

Science, Technology, Communications

Introduced

2025-06-25

Latest action

2026-01-28: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309.

Committee referrals

• Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee: Senate · Reported By · 2026-01-28
• Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee: Senate · Markup By · 2026-01-15
• Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee: Senate · Referred To · 2025-06-25

Recent actions

• 2026-01-28: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309.
• 2026-01-28: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
• 2026-01-28: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
• 2026-01-15: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
• 2025-06-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.