MA S1627

Creates a 15-member commission on nurse staffing in hospitals to develop safe staffing standards for all hospital units, chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services

Commission members include state officials, legislative leaders, and representatives from 8 healthcare organizations including the Massachusetts Nurses Association, Massachusetts Hospital Association, and SEIU

Members serve 4-year terms without compensation and may be reappointed; governor-appointed members may be removed for cause

Commission responsibilities include examining evidence-based research on patient outcomes relative to nurse staffing, reviewing other states' staffing regulations, and holding public hearings

Annual report due by March 1 to the Joint Committee on Public Health with recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes