CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 12(L&C) Summary

• Prohibits health care facilities from requiring registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to work beyond predetermined shifts or more than 80 hours in a 14-day period, with limited exceptions for emergencies and voluntary arrangements.

• Requires nurses to receive at least 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately following their scheduled shifts.

• Establishes a complaint and enforcement process through the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development with penalties ranging from reprimands to $500-$25,000 for repeated violations.

• Prohibits retaliation against nurses for exercising rights under this law or reporting violations, with the Department of Law authorized to obtain appropriate relief including back pay and reinstatement.

• Requires health care facilities to file semiannual reports detailing overtime hours worked (mandatory vs. voluntary) for each nurse, with the first report due February 1, 2010 for the July-December 2009 period.