107th Congress

National Institutes of Health Security Act

H.R. 5391

Background

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, thousands of law enforcement jobs have become available that offer much higher pay and better retirement, death, and disability benefits than the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is authorized to provide. This situation has resulted in a mass exodus of police officers from NIH and created major recruitment problems. In addition, there has been a longstanding concern that officers lack the necessary jurisdictional authority when investigating crimes off campus.

Representative Connie A. Morella (R-MD) introduced this measure to enable NIH to offer competitive pay and benefits and to provide clear jurisdiction, so that NIH can reach its authorized level of 108 officers. NIH is currently at less than half this number.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

Establishment of the NIH Police Force: This bill would have established in statute an NIH police force that would have provided an enhanced level of law enforcement services. Each NIH officer would have had the authority to conduct investigations, protect the NIH campus and its satellite facilities, carry firearms, serve warrants and subpoenas, and make arrests. In addition, the NIH Police would have had the authority to provide protection to high-level NIH staff when they traveled off campus.

Jurisdictional Authority: In order for officers to address law enforcement issues NIH perceives as critical at off-campus facilities, the NIH Police would have had the authority to exercise powers on all properties under the custody and control of NIH. This authority would have allowed the NIH Police to respond to emergencies, conduct investigations, and follow up on crimes committed in facilities owned by NIH, including off-campus facilities such as the Block Building, Poolesville, and Rocky Mountain. The Director of NIH also would have had authority to deploy officers to facilities leased or occupied by the agency, such as Rockledge and Executive Plaza.

Pay and Benefits: The NIH Police would have been provided with the same benefits as Federal Law Enforcement Officers as outlined in current law. These benefits include enhanced retirement, and survivor and death benefits.

Status and Outlook

H.R. 5391 was introduced on September 17, 2002, and referred to the House Committee on Government Reform. There was no further action on this legislation during the 107th Congress.