Bill > S2120

This joint resolution establishes a 15-member special legislative commission tasked with studying safe staffing ratios in hospitals, which refers to the appropriate number of healthcare professionals, such as nurses and doctors, assigned to care for a given number of patients. The commission will include representatives from the House and Senate, hospital direct staff, hospital administrators, the Director of the RI Department of Health, the Rhode Island Attorney General, a patient advocacy organization, and representatives from a labor organization representing hospital workers. Its purpose is to conduct a comprehensive study and offer recommendations to the General Assembly on issues like the impact of staffing on patient outcomes, workforce recruitment and retention, financial implications for hospitals and the state, best practices from other states, and the implementation of national staffing standards, including the Joint Commission's 2026 National Performance Goal on nurse staffing. The commission is required to submit quarterly progress reports starting March 31, 2026, and a final report with its findings and recommendations by March 31, 2027, after which it will expire on June 30, 2027.

Health and Social Services

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