HB2604 - Safe Patient Limits Act

• Establishes maximum patient-to-nurse ratios for registered nurses across various hospital care settings, ranging from 1 patient (critical care, active labor, operating room) to 4 patients (pediatric, psychiatric, medical/surgical units).

• Requires facilities to implement patient limits without reducing overall health care workforce staffing levels and allows facilities to assign fewer patients than the statutory maximums.

• Mandates all facilities adopt written policies requiring nursing staff receive training and orientation before assignment to clinical areas, with temporary personnel receiving the same training as permanent staff.

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health to adopt implementation rules and permits use of patient acuity systems as long as maximum patient assignments are not exceeded.

• Establishes enforcement by the Attorney General with civil penalties up to $25,000 per day of violation; suspends requirements during declared public health emergencies.