4.__Consumer protection.__A hospital subject to this section shall daily post in a conspicuous place visible to the public the ratio of registered nursing staff to patients on each unit.__A hospital subject to this section shall give to each patient admitted to the hospital for inpatient care a toll- free telephone number for the Bureau of Medical Services, Division of Licensing and Certification to report inadequate staffing or care.

5.__Enforcement.__A hospital that violates the provisions of this section is subject to enforcement action by the department, including suspension or revocation of license to operate, and is subject to a fine not to exceed $25,000 per violation.

6.__Rules.__The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.__By November 1, 2004 the department shall adopt rules for establishing an acuity-based patient classification system in hospitals.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill imposes minimum staffing requirements for nurse- to-patient staffing on all hospitals with an increase of nurses required based on the acuity of the patients. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules, which are classified as major substantive rules, for establishing an acuity-based patient classification system in hospitals.