Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act (SB 1466)

• Establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios by unit type, ranging from 1:1 in trauma/operating rooms to 1:6 in well-baby nurseries, with ratios varying by care intensity.

• Prohibits mandatory overtime to meet staffing requirements and prevents layoffs of support staff to achieve nursing ratios.

• Requires written staffing plans developed by chief nursing officers with at least half the committee members being direct care registered nurses, subject to annual evaluation and updates.

• Protects nurse advocacy rights by prohibiting retaliation for refusing unsafe assignments or reporting violations, with nurses entitled to reinstatement, back wages, and attorney fees if discharged in violation.

• Establishes enforcement through civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation (higher for patterns of violations), creates a toll-free hotline for reporting violations, and requires public posting of facilities with violations; effective July 1, 2012.