OR HB4074

Increases the maximum nurse-to-patient ratio in medical-surgical units from 4 patients to 5 patients per direct care registered nurse

Allows type C rural hospitals (those with more than 50 beds) to vary from statutory nurse-to-patient staffing ratios with committee approval, and removes the requirement that type C hospitals not be referral centers

Requires unit managers to notify hospital nurse staffing committee cochairs within 10 days after each deviation from the staffing plan, with units permitted no more than 6 deviations within a rolling 30-day period

Establishes a civil penalty cap per hospital over four years at the lesser of $2,000 multiplied by the number of licensed inpatient beds or $1 million, with penalties deposited into the Hospital Quality Assurance Fund

Prohibits the Oregon Health Authority from imposing civil penalties for staffing violations occurring before July 1, 2030, and requires the authority to determine complaint validity within 30 days