Bill > HF2289

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for nurse staffing in Minnesota hospitals, known as the "Quality Patient Care Act," to ensure patient safety and improve nursing working conditions. The legislation mandates specific nurse-to-patient ratios for different hospital units, ranging from one nurse per one patient in critical care scenarios to one nurse per five patients in skilled nursing units. Hospitals must develop detailed staffing plans in collaboration with direct-care registered nurses, considering factors like patient acuity, nursing intensity, and staff experience. The bill prohibits hospitals from using mandatory overtime, retaliating against nurses who raise staffing concerns, or using technology as a substitute for direct nursing care. Hospitals must establish a Safe Patient Assignment Committee with a majority of direct-care nurses to assess staffing needs, track trends, and recommend improvements. The legislation also imposes significant civil penalties of at least $25,000 for non-compliance and requires public reporting of staffing violations. Rural hospitals are given additional time to implement these standards, with compliance required by August 1, 2029, compared to August 1, 2027, for other hospitals. The bill aims to protect both patient safety and nurses' professional autonomy by establishing clear guidelines for staffing, assignment limits, and workplace protections.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2289&ssn=0&y=2025