FL H0231

Establishes mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in Florida hospitals: 1:1 for trauma and operating rooms, 1:2 for critical care/ICU units, 1:3 for emergency rooms and step-down units, 1:4 for surgical and psychiatric units, 1:5 for rehabilitation units, and 1:6 for well-baby nurseries

Prohibits health care facilities from imposing mandatory overtime on nurses to meet staffing requirements and from using video cameras or monitors as substitutes for direct patient observation by registered nurses

Requires hospitals to develop written staffing plans using an acuity-based patient classification system, with annual evaluations and public posting of actual staffing levels in each unit on a shift-by-shift basis

Protects nurses from retaliation for refusing patient assignments they are not competent to perform or that would violate nursing practice standards, and establishes a toll-free hotline for reporting violations

Authorizes the Agency for Health Care Administration to impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation against facilities and $20,000 against individuals, with mandatory minimum penalties for facilities with patterns of violations