Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act (SB 2316) - Summary

• Establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for Florida health care facilities, ranging from 1:1 in trauma/operating rooms to 1:6 in well-baby nurseries, with specific ratios for each unit type.

• Prohibits mandatory overtime requirements to meet staffing ratios and requires health care facilities to implement written staffing plans developed with at least 50% direct care registered nurse committee members.

• Mandates that only direct care registered nurses perform patient assessments and prohibits assigning unlicensed personnel to perform registered nurse functions or clinical judgment tasks.

• Protects nurses' rights to refuse unsafe assignments or tasks without retaliation, establish grievances with the Agency for Health Care Administration, and engage in collective bargaining activities.

• Directs the Agency for Health Care Administration to establish a toll-free hotline for reporting violations, develop uniform statewide acuity-based staffing standards by July 1, 2011, and impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation against health care facilities.