SB3709 - Hospital Staffing Plans Act

• Requires each hospital to establish three staffing committees (nurse staffing, professional/technical staffing, and service staffing) with equal representation between management and staff to develop written hospital-wide staffing plans.

• Establishes specific direct-care registered nurse-to-patient ratios for various hospital units (e.g., 1:2 in ICU, 1:5 in medical-surgical units, 1:1 in operating rooms) and limits certified nursing assistants to 7 patients per day shift or 11 per night shift.

• Mandates that staffing committees meet at least 3-4 times annually, with open meetings allowing staff feedback; includes dispute resolution through 60-day negotiation periods and binding arbitration if committees cannot reach agreement on nurse staffing plans.

• Prohibits hospitals from requiring nursing staff to work beyond agreed shifts, more than 48 hours per week, or more than 12 hours per 24-hour period, and requires compliance with meal break and rest period requirements.

• Establishes the Nurse Staffing Advisory Board within the Department of Public Health and authorizes the Department of Labor to investigate complaints, impose civil penalties up to $5,000 for violations, and suspend or revoke hospital licenses for non-compliance; becomes effective immediately.