NURSE STAFFING STANDRDS ACT House SponsorsRep. Mary E. Flowers 1/9/2007HouseSession 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. 2/18/2005HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Mary E. Flowers 2/18/2005HouseFirst Reading 2/18/2005HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/23/2005HouseAssigned to Health Care Availability and Access Committee 3/10/2005HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 1/9/2007HouseSession Sine Die