Bill > S1522

This bill establishes statewide patient-to-nurse staffing limits in Massachusetts hospitals to promote patient safety and improve healthcare quality. The legislation requires the Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health to create regulations specifying the maximum number of patients a registered nurse can care for simultaneously across different hospital units, including emergency services, pediatric, maternal child care, psychiatric, medical, surgical, and other specialized units. The bill mandates that staffing limits will consider patient complexity, care needs, and required specialized equipment, but will not set a minimum patient assignment. To develop these regulations, the departments must hold public hearings and invite stakeholder input. The bill includes enforcement mechanisms allowing the Attorney General to issue penalties up to $25,000 per violation, with each day of continued violation considered a separate offense. Importantly, the bill also protects nurses from workplace retaliation if they adhere to these staffing limits and provides for regulation suspension during public health emergencies. The Department of Public Health is required to develop and implement these regulations within 24 months of the bill's passage, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care and nursing working conditions.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1522