NY A06571

Establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for acute care facilities ranging from 1:1 in operating rooms and trauma units to 1:6 in well-baby nurseries, with specific ratios for critical care, emergency, maternal/child, and medical/surgical units.

Requires acute care facilities to submit annual documented staffing plans to the Department of Health based on patient census, acuity levels, and projected care needs, with ratios not to be averaged across shifts or time periods.

Permits direct-care nurses to refuse work assignments that exceed their education, training, or experience, or that would violate safe staffing requirements, without being subject to retaliation or claims of patient abandonment.

Mandates facilities maintain daily records for seven years showing patient census, acuity levels, nurse identity and hours, and mortality/morbidity statistics, made available to the Department and public (except staff identity in correctional facilities).

Establishes private right of action for nurses allowing recovery of reinstatement, lost wages, compensatory and liquidated damages, plus attorney's fees for facility violations of work assignment policies related to safe staffing requirements.

Sets minimum staffing ratios for residential health care facilities beginning two years after enactment: 2.8 hours certified nurse aide care, 1.3 hours licensed practical nurse or registered nurse care, and 0.75 hours registered nurse care per resident per day.