SB 1512 Summary: Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act

• Creates minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in 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 to meet staffing requirements, bans acuity-adjustable units, and requires video monitoring cannot substitute for direct nurse observation.

• Establishes professional practice protections allowing registered nurses to refuse unsafe assignments or tasks without retaliation, including discharge or disciplinary complaints.

• Requires health care facilities to develop written staffing plans reviewed by committees with at least 50% direct care registered nurses, with annual evaluation and public posting of staffing levels.

• Imposes civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation on facilities and up to $20,000 on individuals, with violations posted on the Agency for Health Care Administration website.