NY S07735

Establishes a statewide safe patient handling policy requiring health care facilities to implement comprehensive programs using engineering controls, lifting aids, and assistive devices to prevent injuries to patients and workers.

Creates a statewide safe patient handling work group by January 1, 2013, consisting of health department and labor department representatives, health care organizations, employee unions, and ergonomic specialists to develop policy standards by July 1, 2013.

Requires each health care facility to establish a safe patient handling committee with at least half of members being frontline non-managerial nurses or direct care workers, including two co-chairs (one management, one frontline worker).

Grants nurses and direct care workers the right to refuse unsafe patient handling assignments after providing written notice and allowing 60 days for facility correction, with protection against retaliation and consideration as Labor Law Section 741 employees.

Requires health care facilities to submit compliance plans by July 1, 2014 (or July 1, 2015 for nursing homes) and authorizes grants for training and equipment implementation within appropriated amounts.