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NM SB281

NM SB281
Patient Safe Staffing Act


summary

Introduced
01/24/2017
In Committee
02/11/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/18/2017

Introduced Session

2017 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; ENACTING THE PATIENT SAFE STAFFING ACT; REQUIRING HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH STAFFING LEVELS FOR HOSPITAL NURSING UNITS; GIVING A NURSE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE AN ASSIGNMENT THAT CONFLICTS WITH ESTABLISHED STAFFING LEVELS OR THAT IS NOT WITHIN THE NURSE'S SCOPE OF PRACTICE; REQUIRING HOSPITALS TO POST AND REPORT THEIR DAILY HOSPITAL NURSING UNIT PATIENT CENSUS AND STAFFING LEVELS; MAKING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESPONSIBLE FOR POSTING HOSPITAL REPORTS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S WEBSITE FOR CONSUMERS; AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PATIENT SAFE STAFFING ACT THROUGH PENALTIES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION; AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROMULGATE RULES TO IMPLEMENT THE PATIENT SAFE STAFFING ACT; PROVIDING WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION TO EMPLOYEES WHO FILE A GRIEVANCE OR COMPLAINT UNDER THE PATIENT SAFE STAFFING ACT.

AI Summary

This bill, the Patient Safe Staffing Act, requires hospitals to establish staffing levels for hospital nursing units based on patient needs and acuity. The bill mandates the creation of a hospital committee with a majority of direct care nurses to develop and review these staffing plans. Nurses are given the right to refuse assignments that conflict with the staffing plan or are outside their scope of practice. The bill also requires hospitals to publicly post and report their daily nursing staffing levels, with the Department of Health responsible for oversight, enforcement, and rule-making. The bill provides whistleblower protection for employees who file grievances or complaints related to the staffing requirements.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

[LD 26] Referred to Senate Finance (on 02/11/2017)

bill text


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