GA HB745

Requires each hospital's governing body to adopt and implement a written nurse services staffing plan ensuring adequate numbers and skill mix of nurses for each patient care unit and shift, based on evidence-based standards and including contingency plans for unexpected patient surges.

Mandates every hospital establish a standing nurse staffing committee that meets at least quarterly, with at least 50% of members being registered nurses who provide direct patient care at least 50% of their work time, and includes the chief nursing officer as a voting member.

Requires hospitals to annually report staffing plan compliance information to the Department of Community Health as a confidential addendum to the annual hospital questionnaire, exempt from open records requirements.

Directs the Department of Community Health to maintain a secure online portal for anonymous reports of unsafe staffing conditions, with the Division of Healthcare Facility Regulation investigating all such reports and taking enforcement action when nursing services fail to meet accepted standards of practice.

Establishes a 9-member advisory commission—appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House—to convene annually to evaluate the effectiveness of hospital nurse staffing committees and submit recommendations for further legislative action to improve working conditions and quality of care.