HB 5384 Summary

• Requires hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health to submit annual prospective nurse staffing plans with written certification that staffing is adequate for patient care, effective July 1, 2014.

• Mandates each hospital establish a staffing committee with at least 50% registered nurses providing direct patient care to develop staffing plans that address skill mix, temporary nurse use, administrative staffing levels, and internal review processes.

• Requires hospitals to report actual daily nurse staffing levels to the Department of Public Health within ten days after each calendar quarter begins, including ratios of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurse's aides to patients.

• Requires hospitals to submit adjusted staffing plans within twenty days of any calendar quarter where actual staffing levels deviate more than 10% above or below projected levels in the prospective plan.