Bill > H2396

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for safe patient handling and mobility in healthcare facilities, with the goal of reducing injuries to both patients and healthcare workers. The legislation mandates that hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities create a safe patient handling and mobility committee composed of at least 50% non-managerial direct care employees, and develop a detailed program to minimize manual lifting of patients. By December 1, 2025, facilities must implement a program that includes conducting risk assessments, evaluating patient handling equipment needs, providing specialized training for staff, and developing procedures for safely handling patients. The bill requires facilities to track injury data, ensure appropriate equipment is available in each clinical area, and provide staff with the ability to refuse patient handling tasks they believe pose unacceptable injury risks. Healthcare facilities must also conduct patient care ergonomic evaluations, purchase necessary patient handling equipment (such as mechanical lifting devices and motorized beds), and provide annual staff training. By December 30, 2028, facilities must complete acquiring the recommended safe patient handling equipment, with the Department of Public Health responsible for ensuring compliance and developing potential penalties for facilities that do not meet the new standards. The ultimate aim is to minimize manual patient lifting, improve worker and patient safety, and potentially reduce healthcare-related injuries.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2396