WI AB1146

Hospitals must develop annual nurse staffing plans approved by a nurse staffing committee (majority nonsupervisory registered nurses), submit plans to DHS, and post them publicly in each unit and on the DHS website

Mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios established by unit type: 1:2 for ICU and NICU, 1:4 for emergency and pediatric units, 1:5 for medical-surgical and oncology, 1:1 for operating rooms, among others

Hospitals prohibited from requiring registered nurses to work overtime (beyond scheduled shifts, 12 hours in 24 hours, or 40 hours per week), with exceptions for ongoing surgeries, critical care coverage, and declared public health emergencies

Registered nurses may refuse work assignments if, in good faith professional judgment, the assignment would compromise patient safety or jeopardize their nursing license

Penalties include $25,000 for failure to submit staffing plans by deadline and $5,000 per day for failure to submit or comply with corrective action plans; nurses who face retaliation may file complaints with DWD or bring civil action for reinstatement, lost wages, and attorney fees