summary
Introduced
02/03/2025
02/03/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to delivery of patient protection; providing a short title; creating s. 395.1013, F.S.; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; requiring health care facilities to implement staffing plans that comply with specified minimum staffing levels for direct care registered nurses; providing construction; prohibiting health care facilities from taking specified actions; requiring such facilities to ensure that certain staffing is maintained; specifying minimum staffing levels for direct care registered nurses based on the hospital or clinical unit setting; requiring that patients be cared for only in hospital or clinical units that meet the specified minimum staffing levels; prohibiting health care facilities from using video cameras or monitors as a substitute for direct observation and assessment by a direct care registered nurse; exempting health care facilities from the minimum staffing level requirements during a declared state of emergency under certain circumstances; providing requirements for any acuity- based patient classification system adopted by a health care facility; providing whistle-blower protections; creating a cause of action; providing remedies; providing for complaints to and hb349-00 administrative actions by the Agency for Health Care Administration; providing civil penalties; requiring the agency to post specified information on its website; providing construction with respect to collective bargaining agreements; prohibiting employers from taking specified actions with respect to employment for certain unionized staff; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes comprehensive patient protection standards for health care facilities in Florida, focusing primarily on registered nurse staffing levels and patient care safety. The legislation creates detailed requirements for minimum nurse-to-patient ratios across different hospital units, ranging from one nurse per one patient in trauma and operating room units to one nurse per five patients in rehabilitation and skilled nursing units. The bill mandates that health care facilities implement staffing plans based on patient needs, prohibits using video monitoring as a substitute for direct nurse observation, and includes robust whistle-blower protections for nurses who refuse unsafe patient assignments. Key provisions include preventing facilities from using mandatory overtime to meet staffing requirements, ensuring direct care registered nurses can only be replaced by other direct care registered nurses during breaks, and establishing specific staffing guidelines for specialized units like labor and delivery, emergency departments, and intensive care. The bill also allows for civil penalties up to $25,000 for violations, requires transparency in patient classification systems, and provides legal recourse for nurses who experience retaliation. The legislation aims to improve patient safety, protect nursing staff, and ensure high-quality medical care by establishing clear, unit-specific staffing standards that prioritize patient needs and nurse professional judgment.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/349 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/349/BillText/Filed/PDF |
Loading...