HB 3585

Abstract

Creates the Hospital Patient Protection Act. Provides for minimum direct care registered professional nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, and ambulatory surgical treatment centers. Sets forth essential functions of direct care registered professional nurses relating to hospital patient care. Sets forth certain rights of direct care registered professional nurses, including the rights to protected speech and patient advocacy. Prohibits a hospital, long-term acute care hospital, and ambulatory surgical treatment center from interfering with a nurse's exercise of those rights, and prohibits other retaliatory or discriminatory action by a hospital. Provides for monetary and equitable relief for violations of the Act, and provides for civil penalties. Requires a hospital, long-term acute care hospital, and ambulatory surgical treatment center to post certain provisions of the Act for review by the hospital's employees and patients and by the public. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act and the Nurse Practice Act to provide that in the case of a conflict between a provision of either of those Acts and a provision of the Hospital Patient Protection Act, the Hospital Patient Protection Act shall control. Effective January 1, 2020.