HB 795 Summary: Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act

• Establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for 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, averaging of staffing ratios across shifts, and use of video monitoring as a substitute for direct nurse observation; requires written staffing plans developed by chief nursing officers.

• Grants direct care registered nurses the right to refuse unsafe assignments without retaliation and establishes them as patient advocates who must perform assessments, supervise care, and evaluate treatment plans.

• Prohibits health care facilities from assigning unlicensed personnel to perform registered nurse functions and requires transparent acuity-based patient classification systems submitted to the Agency for Health Care Administration.

• Authorizes civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation for facilities and $20,000 for individuals, establishes a toll-free hotline for reporting violations, and allows nurses to bring civil action for wrongful discharge or retaliation; effective July 1, 2012.