HB 1083 Summary: Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act

• Requires health care facilities to implement staffing plans with minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios varying by unit type (ranging from 1:1 in trauma and operating rooms to 1:6 in well-baby nurseries)

• Prohibits mandatory overtime to meet minimum staffing levels and requires competence demonstrations and orientation before nurses are assigned to clinical units

• Establishes professional practice standards for direct care registered nurses, including patient advocacy rights, refusal of unsafe assignments, and protections against retaliation or discharge for refusing unsafe care

• Mandates development of uniform acuity-based patient classification systems by July 1, 2019, with facilities required to annually evaluate and update staffing plans based on individual patient needs

• Authorizes the Agency for Health Care Administration to impose civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation against facilities and $20,000 against individuals, and requires establishment of a toll-free hotline for reporting violations