AK HB51

Prohibits health care facilities from requiring registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to work beyond 80 hours in a 14-day period or beyond predetermined regularly scheduled shifts without nurse consent.

Requires nurses be allowed at least 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately following completion of their scheduled shift.

Allows overtime exceptions for unforeseen emergencies, voluntary overtime (capped at 14 consecutive hours), on-call time, and medical transport aircraft work.

Establishes complaint process with civil penalties ranging from reprimand for first violation to $5,000-$25,000 for subsequent violations within 12 months, with enforcement by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.

Prohibits retaliation against nurses for exercising rights under the law or reporting violations, with Department of Law authorized to seek rehiring, reinstatement, and back pay as relief.