This bill limits how much mandatory overtime nurses can be forced to work at hospitals and other healthcare facilities that receive Medicare payments. The law says nurses cannot be required to work more than 48 hours per week, more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period, or during the 10 hours immediately after completing a 12-hour shift. Nurses can still volunteer to work extra hours if they want to, but healthcare facilities cannot force them to do so under normal circumstances.

The bill recognizes that tired nurses make more medical mistakes and provide worse patient care. Research shows that nurses already work significantly longer hours than the average American worker, often in exhausting 12-hour shifts with little rest between them. By limiting mandatory overtime, the law aims to protect both nurse wellbeing and patient safety.

There are exceptions during declared emergencies or disasters—hospitals can require extra hours when there's a major crisis and they've tried other ways to fill staffing gaps. However, this emergency exception has strict limits: it only applies during the actual emergency period, and only if a patient could be harmed if a nurse leaves. Nurses who refuse mandatory overtime cannot be fired, punished, or reported to their professional licensing board for refusing. Healthcare facilities must document any mandatory overtime they do require, post clear policies about it, and display nurses' schedules in advance. If a facility violates these rules, they can be fined up to $10,000 per violation, with higher penalties for repeated violations. The law takes effect one year after being signed into law.

Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2024

Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2024 This bill requires certain providers, as a condition of Medicare participation, to limit mandatory overtime for nurses. Specifically, the bill prohibits hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and other specified providers from requiring nurses to work (1) more than a previously scheduled shift, 48 hours in a workweek, or 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period; or (2) during the 10 hours immediately following the 12th hour worked in a shift during a 24-hour period. Qualifying work hours include time spent in training, on call, and on standby. The bill's provisions do not apply during declared emergencies or disasters, subject to specified conditions, and do not preclude voluntary overtime. The bill also establishes (1) certain protections for nurses who file complaints against providers, (2) documentation and notice requirements for providers, and (3) potential civil penalties for violations.