SB 1658 - Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act

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

• Prohibits health care facilities from imposing mandatory overtime to meet minimum staffing levels, using acuity-adjustable units, or using video monitoring as a substitute for direct nurse observation.

• Grants direct care registered nurses the right to refuse unsafe patient assignments or tasks without retaliation, with remedies including reinstatement, back pay, attorney fees, and damages for violations.

• Requires health care facilities to develop written staffing plans based on patient acuity systems, post daily staffing notices in units, and submit annual staffing documentation to the Agency for Health Care Administration.

• Authorizes the Agency to impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation against health care facilities and up to $20,000 per violation against individuals, with facility names posted on the agency website.