Bill
Bill > S1357
summary
Introduced
05/08/2019
05/08/2019
In Committee
05/08/2019
05/08/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals, and for other purposes. This bill requires hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Hospitals must post a notice regarding nurse-to-patient ratios in each unit and maintain records of actual ratios for each shift in each unit. The bill also requires hospitals to follow certain procedures regarding how ratios are determined and other staff are prohibited from performing nurse functions unless specifically authorized within a state's scope of practice rules, among other requirements. HHS must adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs attributable to compliance with these ratios. Nurses may object to, or refuse to participate in, an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if they are not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing their nurse's license. Hospitals may not (1) take adverse actions against a nurse based on the nurse's reasonable refusal to accept an assignment; or (2) discriminate against individuals for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or related facilities. HHS may impose civil monetary penalties on hospitals violating the ratio requirements and must publish the names of such hospitals. The bill provides stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program and expands the nurse retention grant program to include nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.
AI Summary
This bill:
Requires hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Hospitals must post notices about the ratios, maintain records of actual ratios, and follow certain procedures regarding how ratios are determined. HHS must adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs attributable to compliance with these ratios. Nurses may object to or refuse assignments that violate the ratios or for which they are not prepared. The bill also establishes minimum direct care licensed practical nurse staffing requirements, provides whistleblower and patient protections, and authorizes stipends for the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program and expands the nurse retention grant program.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (7)
Sherrod Brown (D)*,
Tammy Baldwin (D),
Kamala Harris (D),
Ed Markey (D),
Bernie Sanders (I),
Chris Van Hollen (D),
Elizabeth Warren (D),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 05/08/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1357/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s1357/BILLS-116s1357is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s1357/BILLS-116s1357is.pdf.pdf |
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