summary
Introduced
02/06/2025
02/06/2025
In Committee
02/06/2025
02/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Safe Patient Limits Act. Provides the maximum number of patients that may be assigned to a registered nurse in specified situations. Provides that nothing shall preclude a facility from assigning fewer patients to a registered nurse than the limits provided in the Act. Provides that the maximum patient assignments may not be exceeded, regardless of the use and application of any patient acuity system. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules governing the implementation and administration of the Act. Provides that all facilities shall adopt written policies and procedures for the training and orientation of nursing staff and that no registered nurse shall be assigned to a nursing unit or clinical area unless that nurse has, among other things, demonstrated competence in providing care in that area. Provides requirements for the Act's implementation. Establishes recordkeeping requirements. Provides rights and protections for nurses. Contains a severability provision and other provisions. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital shall not mandate that a registered professional nurse delegate nursing interventions. Makes changes concerning staffing plans. Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Requires the exercise of professional judgment by a direct care registered professional nurse in the performance of his or her scope of practice to be provided in the exclusive interests of the patient.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Safe Patient Limits Act, which sets strict maximum patient assignments for registered nurses across different hospital units and care settings. The legislation mandates specific patient-to-nurse ratios for various medical specialties, such as one critical care patient per nurse, three step-down patients per nurse, and four medical-surgical patients per nurse. Facilities must implement these limits without reducing overall staffing levels or laying off support staff, and they cannot use averaging techniques or electronic monitoring to circumvent the patient limits. The bill requires hospitals to maintain detailed records of nurse staffing, with quarterly submissions to the Department of Public Health and potential civil penalties of up to $25,000 for violations. Additionally, the legislation protects nurses by allowing them to refuse assignments they believe compromise patient safety and prohibits retaliation against nurses who raise concerns about staffing. The bill also emphasizes that nursing judgment must be exercised exclusively in the patient's best interests, independent of hospital operational or financial considerations, and amends existing hospital licensing and nursing practice laws to reinforce these protections. Ultimately, the legislation aims to improve patient care quality and ensure safer, more manageable workloads for nurses by establishing clear, enforceable staffing standards.
Sponsors (7)
Celina Villanueva (D)*,
Javier Cervantes (D),
Mary Edly-Allen (D),
Graciela Guzmán (D),
Napoleon Harris (D),
Robert Peters (D),
Rachel Ventura (D),
Last Action
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris, III (on 04/08/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2022&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB2022.htm |
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