OR HB3294

Amends Oregon hospital nurse staffing laws to clarify that hospitals must comply with either their nurse staffing committee's adopted staffing plan OR the statutory nurse-to-patient ratios in ORS 441.765, depending on whether a unit-specific plan has been adopted

Establishes specific nurse-to-patient ratios by unit type: 1:1 for trauma and operating room patients; 1:2 for ICU, post-anesthesia, and active labor patients; 1:3 for intermediate care; 1:4 for emergency department (average over 12 hours), oncology, cardiac telemetry, pediatric, and medical-surgical (reduced from 1:5 in future version); 1:6 for postpartum/nursery; 1:8 for mother-baby units

Creates a new enforcement mechanism allowing civil penalties when hospitals fail to comply with statutory nurse-to-patient ratios in units where no staffing plan has been adopted, with penalties of $1,750 for second violations, $2,500 for third violations, and $5,000 for fourth and subsequent violations within a four-year period

Authorizes the Oregon Health Authority to consolidate multiple complaints containing the same allegations or based on the same facts into a single investigation, and requires prioritization of complaints alleging violations occurring on or after June 1, 2025

Takes effect on the 91st day after the 2025 legislative session adjourns, with amendments to complaint and violation provisions applying to allegations and violations occurring on or after June 1, 2025