Bill > HB72

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for nursing staff-to-patient ratios in hospitals across New Mexico, creating a Staffing Advisory Committee comprised of 11 members representing various hospital stakeholders who will help the Health Care Authority develop and enforce minimum staffing requirements. The bill defines different types of hospital units and requires the Health Care Authority to promulgate specific numerical staffing ratios for licensed nurses and unlicensed employees by July 1, 2026, taking into account factors such as patient illness severity, equipment needs, and complexity of care. Hospitals will be required to develop written policies for staff training, orientation, and competency, and are prohibited from assigning unlicensed personnel to perform complex medical tasks traditionally performed by registered nurses. The bill establishes a graduated enforcement mechanism with escalating financial penalties for hospitals that repeatedly deviate from mandated staffing ratios, allowing no more than six deviations in a thirty-day period, with potential civil penalties ranging from warnings to $5,000 fines. The legislation includes provisions for rural and critical access hospitals, allowing for some flexibility in staffing requirements, and provides exemptions during emergencies like natural disasters or infectious disease outbreaks. The bill takes effect immediately, reflecting the urgency of addressing healthcare staffing challenges.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=72&year=25