HOSPITAL-NURSE STAFFG STANDRDS House SponsorsRep. Mary E. Flowers, Harry Osterman, Constance A. Howard, Robert Rita, Marlow H. Colvin, Esther Golar, Michael P. McAuliffe, Deborah L. Graham, Karen A. Yarbrough, LaShawn K. Ford, Monique D. Davis and Annazette Collins 1/13/2009HouseSession Sine Die New Act Creates the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act. Provides that every hospital must implement a staffing plan that: (1) provides adequate, appropriate, and quality delivery of health care services and protects patient safety; and (2) is consistent with the requirements of the Act concerning minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios. Sets forth minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios, according to the type of hospital unit. Provides that the Department of Public Health may apply those minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios to another type of hospital unit if that other unit performs a function similar to the function performed by the unit referred to in the minimum ratio standards. Provides that the minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios do not apply during a declared state of emergency if a hospital is requested or expected to provide an exceptional level of emergency or other medical services. Effective immediately.House Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act. Provides that not later than one year after the Act's effective date, each hospital shall implement a written staffing plan that (i) provides for safe, therapeutic, and competent care services, (ii) protects patient safety, and (iii) is consistent with the requirements of the Act. Sets forth minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios; requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules prescribing the time by which these provisions must be implemented, but in no event later than 2 years after the Act's effective date. Requires a hospital to reevaluate its staffing plan annually. Sets forth circumstances under which a nurse may refuse to accept an assignment as a nurse in a hospital, and provides for nurse protections. Provides for penalties for violations of the Act. 1/23/2007HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Mary E. Flowers 1/26/2007HouseFirst Reading 1/26/2007HouseReferred to Rules Committee 1/31/2007HouseAssigned to Human Services Committee 2/22/2007HouseRe-assigned to Health Care Availability and Access Committee 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Osterman 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Angelo Saviano 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Constance A. Howard 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert Rita 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Marlow H. Colvin 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Esther Golar 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Deborah L. Graham 2/23/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough 3/6/2007HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Health Care Availability and Access Committee 3/6/2007HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Health Care Availability and Access Committee; by Voice Vote 3/6/2007HouseRemains in Health Care Availability and Access Committee 3/13/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. LaShawn K. Ford 3/13/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Monique D. Davis 3/13/2007HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Health Care Availability and Access Committee; 008-003-000 3/14/2007HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/29/2007HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Annazette Collins 4/27/2007HouseThird Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 3, 2007 5/3/2007HouseThird Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 10, 2007 5/10/2007HouseThird Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 18, 2007 5/18/2007HouseFinal Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 25, 2007 5/25/2007HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 3/3/2008HouseApproved for Consideration Rules Committee; 005-000-000 3/4/2008HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/10/2008HouseRemoved Co-Sponsor Rep. Angelo Saviano 4/18/2008HouseFinal Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 9, 2008 5/9/2008HouseFinal Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 23, 2008 5/23/2008HouseFinal Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2008 5/29/2008HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 5/29/2008HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate 5/31/2008HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 1/13/2009HouseSession Sine Die