FL H0187

Creates the "Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act" establishing mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in health care facilities, ranging from 1:1 for trauma emergency units to 1:6 for well-baby nurseries

Prohibits health care facilities from imposing mandatory overtime to meet staffing requirements, using video monitors as substitutes for direct nurse observation, or laying off support staff to meet registered nurse ratios

Requires facilities to develop written staffing plans based on patient acuity systems, submit annual documentation to the Agency for Health Care Administration, and post staffing information in each unit for public view

Establishes whistleblower protections allowing nurses to refuse unsafe assignments without retaliation, with civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation for facilities and $20,000 for individuals who violate the act

Requires AHCA to establish a toll-free hotline for reporting violations and post names of violating facilities on its website, with effective date of July 1, 2016