Bill Summary: SB 1067 - Adequate and Safe Health Care Staffing

• Hospitals must submit annual prospective nurse staffing plans to the Department of Public Health beginning October 1, 2023, with written certification that plans provide adequate and appropriate patient care delivery.

• Starting January 1, 2028, hospitals must comply with specific patient-to-nurse ratios by unit type, ranging from 1:1 in operating rooms and trauma units to 6:1 in psychiatric units, and patient-to-assistive personnel ratios ranging from 6:1 to 12:1 depending on unit.

• Hospitals must establish staffing committees with at least 50% registered nurse representation to develop nurse staffing plans, and must post plans conspicuously and maintain three-year records of actual staffing ratios available to the public, staff, and collective bargaining units.

• Registered nurses may refuse tasks or activities in good faith if they reasonably believe participation would violate staffing provisions or compromise patient safety; hospitals cannot discharge, retaliate against, or file complaints against nurses for such refusals, with violations subject to lawsuits for reinstatement, back pay, and damages.

• Hospitals are prohibited from requiring mandatory overtime except in emergencies (surgical procedures, critical care relief, public health emergencies, or institutional emergencies), though collective bargaining agreements in effect before July 1, 2022, remain enforceable until expiration.