SB 1754 Summary: Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act

• Establishes mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for registered nurses in hospitals, ranging from 1:1 in trauma/operating rooms to 1:6 in well-baby nurseries, with specific ratios for intensive care, emergency, labor/delivery, and other specialized units.

• Prohibits mandatory overtime to meet staffing requirements, averaging of patient assignments, use of acuity-adjustable units, and video monitoring as a substitute for direct nurse observation.

• Requires each hospital to develop a written staffing plan based on patient acuity assessments, with committees composed of at least 50% direct care registered nurses to oversee staffing decisions.

• Protects nurses from retaliation for refusing unsafe assignments and establishes a right of action in court for wrongful discharge, discrimination, or retaliation, with remedies including reinstatement, back pay, attorney fees, and damages.

• Authorizes the Agency for Health Care Administration to impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation and requires posting of staffing information and public hotline for reporting violations.