The Florida Patient Protection Act aims to improve patient care standards in health care facilities by establishing minimum staffing levels for direct care registered nurses. It introduces a new section in the Florida Statutes, section 395.1013, which emphasizes the necessity of adequate nursing staff for optimal health outcomes. The bill mandates that health care facilities develop staffing plans that meet specified nurse-to-patient ratios, particularly in critical areas such as intensive care and labor and delivery. It also prohibits the use of video surveillance as a substitute for direct nursing care, with certain exemptions during declared states of emergency.

In addition to staffing requirements, the bill provides whistle-blower protections for registered nurses, allowing them to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation. It creates a cause of action for those who face discrimination for reporting violations and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance, which can reach up to $25,000 per violation. The legislation also ensures that the Agency for Health Care Administration will post relevant information online and clarifies that existing collective bargaining agreements will take precedence over the new staffing requirements, as long as they do not establish lower patient-to-nurse ratios. The act is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.