Bill > HB1244

This bill establishes comprehensive minimum staffing standards for registered nurses in Hawaii hospitals, requiring each hospital to create a hospital registered nurse staffing committee by September 1, 2025, and implement a detailed staffing plan by July 1, 2026. The legislation sets specific nurse-to-patient ratios for different hospital units, such as one nurse to four patients in medical-surgical units, one nurse to two patients in intensive care units, and one nurse to one patient in operating rooms. The bill mandates that these staffing committees will be majority-composed of direct patient care nurses, with responsibilities including developing annual staffing plans, reviewing staffing levels semiannually, and responding to staffing variations or complaints. Hospitals must post their staffing plans publicly, and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will oversee enforcement, with potential daily fines ranging from $100 to $5,000 for non-compliance, depending on the hospital's size and type. The bill aims to improve patient safety, reduce nurse burnout, and enhance healthcare workforce retention by ensuring adequate and consistent nursing staffing across different hospital units and specialties.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1244&year=2026