NURSING CARE & QUALITY IMPROV Senate SponsorsSen. Kimberly A. Lightford, Jeffrey M. Schoenberg and Martin A. Sandoval-Emil Jones, III-Iris Y. Martinez 1/12/2011SenateSession Sine Die New ActCreates the Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act. Provides that each hospital shall implement a staffing plan that (i) provides adequate, appropriate, and quality delivery of health care services, (ii) protects patient safety, and (iii) is consistent with the requirements of the Act. Sets forth the minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios required in a unit of a hospital during each shift in that unit. Sets forth development and reevaluation requirements for the staffing plan. Prohibits a hospital from discharging, discriminating against, or retaliating against (i) a nurse in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment based on the nurse's refusal of a work assignment under certain conditions or (ii) a nurse or any individual, who, in good faith, reports a violation of the Act, initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding under the Act, or informs or discusses with other individuals or with representatives of hospital employees a violation or suspected violation of the Act. Sets forth penalties for violation of the Act.Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act. Contains only a short title provision. 2/3/2009SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford 2/3/2009SenateFirst Reading 2/3/2009SenateReferred to Assignments 2/10/2009SenateAssigned to Public Health 2/26/2009SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins 3/3/2009SenateSponsor Removed Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins 3/5/2009SenateTo Public Health Subcommittee on Special Issues 3/13/2009SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 3, 2009 3/24/2009SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford 3/24/2009SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 3/25/2009SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Public Health 3/25/2009SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jeffrey M. Schoenberg 3/25/2009SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Martin A. Sandoval 3/25/2009SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted 3/26/2009SenateDo Pass as Amended Public Health; 006-003-000 3/26/2009SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 30, 2009 3/30/2009SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III 3/31/2009SenateSecond Reading 3/31/2009SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2009 4/1/2009SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Iris Y. Martinez 4/3/2009SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As April 30, 2009 4/30/2009SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 31, 2009 4/30/2009SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2009 8/15/2009SenatePursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments 1/12/2011SenateSession Sine Die