CA SB596

Defines "on-call list" for nurse staffing violation exemptions as nurses scheduled to be on call for the specific shift and unit, or nurses assigned to a regularly scheduled float pool shift to cover shortages

Clarifies that hospitals contacting nurses who are not scheduled to be on call and not assigned to a float pool for the affected unit/shift cannot claim they "exhausted" their on-call list to avoid penalties

Requires the Department of Public Health to treat nurse-to-patient ratio violations occurring on separate days as separate violations for penalty assessment purposes

Maintains existing penalty structure of $15,000 for first violation and $30,000 for second and subsequent violations of nurse-to-patient ratio regulations

Approved by Governor on October 13, 2025