Official Summary

Digest: Makes changes to the laws regarding hospital nurse staffing plans. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.3). Directs a hospital to implement a hospital-wide nurse staffing plan that has been developed and adopted by the hospital nurse staffing committee or, if the committee has not adopted a plan, a hospital-wide nurse staffing plan that meets the statutory requirements. Directs that the statutory direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios constitute the nurse staffing plan for a unit if the hospital nurse staffing committee has not adopted a nurse staffing plan for the unit. Changes from four to five the number of patients that a direct care registered nurse may be assigned for a medical-surgical unit under the statutory staffing ratios. Allows a type C hospital to vary from the statutory direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Modifies the definition of type C hospital. Requires a unit manager to notify the cochairs of the hospital nurse staffing committee after each deviation from a nurse staffing plan. Directs the Oregon Health Authority to determine whether a complaint is valid or not within 30 days after receiving the complaint. Requires the authority to accept an attestation from a hospital as sufficient documentation the hospital took certain actions. Establishes a maximum amount in civil penalties that may be imposed for violations of the hospital staffing requirements. Directs that all civil penalties collected shall be paid into the Hospital Quality Assurance Fund. Requires the authority to submit an annual report on the number and types of violations to the committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care. Prohibits the impositions of civil penalties for violations that occur before July 1, 2030.