Bill > SB424

This bill establishes comprehensive minimum registered nurse staffing standards for hospitals in Hawaii, aimed at improving patient care and nurse working conditions. The legislation requires hospitals to create a registered nurse staffing committee by September 1, 2025, with a majority of members being direct patient care nurses, to develop annual staffing plans that take into account factors like patient census, acuity, and skill mix. The bill mandates specific nurse-to-patient ratios for different hospital units, such as one nurse to four patients in medical-surgical units and one nurse to two patients in intensive care units, with the charge nurse not counting toward these ratios. Hospitals must submit their staffing plans to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations beginning July 1, 2026, and implement these plans, with provisions for variance in extraordinary circumstances. The bill includes a complaint and investigation process, with potential civil penalties for non-compliance ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, and prohibits retaliation against nurses who participate in the staffing committee or report staffing concerns. Additionally, the legislation appropriates funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to implement and enforce these new requirements, with the overall goal of improving patient safety, reducing nurse burnout, and promoting workforce retention.

Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=424&year=2026