Wisconsin Senate Bill SB470

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/29/23
• Refer: 9/29/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Minimum nurse staffing ratios in hospitals, registered nurses' right to refuse a work assignment, prohibiting mandatory overtime for registered nurses, and providing a penalty.

Impact

The passage of SB470 is expected to significantly influence current nursing practices and enhance patient safety within healthcare facilities. By prohibiting mandatory overtime without valid circumstances—such as emergencies—the bill ensures that nurses are not overworked, which could otherwise lead to compromised patient care. The introduction of civil penalties for hospitals that violate the staffing requirements, including fines up to $25,000 for non-compliance, serves as a robust deterrent against negligence in maintaining adequate staffing.

Summary

Senate Bill 470 outlines critical measures to enhance nurse staffing standards within hospitals across the state. Aimed at establishing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, the bill mandates hospitals to develop a nurse staffing plan, which must be approved by a nursing committee with a majority of registered nurses. Functions of this committee include ensuring adherence to specified ratios that directly impact patient care and safety, alongside annual reviews of staffing effectiveness. Hospitals are required to maintain detailed records of staffing ratios to enhance transparency and accountability.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SB470 have revealed notable points of contention. Supporters argue that ensuring appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios can significantly improve healthcare outcomes and reduce burnout among nurses. Some opponents, however, contend that these stringent requirements could impose undue burdens on hospitals, particularly smaller facilities with limited resources. Concerns have been raised regarding how hospitals will maintain compliance in the face of existing staffing shortages, which may necessitate additional legislative adaptations or funding to support implementation.