New York nurses scored a victory in Albany this week when the New York State Assembly passed the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act (A08580A).
According to the legislative language, the bill would require acute care facilities and nursing homes to implement particular direct-care nurse to patient ratios in all nursing units, to set minimum staffing requirements, to submit documented staffing plans to the department annually and upon application for an operating certificate and to maintain staffing records during all shifts.
The bill would also authorize nurses to refuse work assignments if the assignment exceeds the nurse’s abilities or if minimum staffing isn’t present. It would also require public access to documented staffing plans, impose civil penalties for violations of provisions and establish private right of action for nurses discriminated against for refusing any illegal work assignment.
“We know that safe staffing saves lives and can mean the difference between life and death for our loved ones,” read a statement on the New York State Nurses Association website. “With just two more days left in the legislative session, let’s make sure state senators do the right thing and make the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act the law of the land. Patient safety just can’t wait.”
This is the first time that a safe staffing legislation had made it this far in in New York State. It’s now up to the State Senate to pass the bill and make it official.
The latest legislative session ends Friday.