Bill > S1399

This bill aims to strengthen the worker voice in hospital care planning. It does this in several key ways: 1. It prohibits hospitals from requiring mandatory overtime for healthcare workers except in emergency situations, and requires hospitals to make a good faith effort to cover such hours on a voluntary basis. It also limits healthcare workers to no more than 16 consecutive hours of work. 2. It requires each hospital to establish a healthcare workforce care planning committee, with representation from various types of healthcare workers as well as management. This committee is tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive care team plan to ensure sufficient staffing and a safe working environment. 3. It requires hospitals to submit their care team plans to the Department of Public Health and Health Policy Commission on an annual basis, with certification from the planning committee that the plan accurately reflects their consensus. 4. It also amends the reporting requirements for the Health Policy Commission to include an analysis of the impact of new laws and regulations on the hospital workforce, including changes in staffing, wages, and labor representation. Overall, the bill seeks to give healthcare workers a greater voice in determining staffing levels and working conditions at hospitals, with the goal of improving patient care and safety.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1399