The "Florida Patient Protection Act" aims to improve patient care standards in healthcare facilities by establishing minimum staffing levels for direct care registered nurses (RNs). The bill mandates that healthcare facilities develop staffing plans that adhere to specified minimum ratios based on the type of hospital or clinical unit. It prohibits the use of video surveillance as a substitute for direct nursing care and allows exemptions from staffing requirements only during declared states of emergency under certain conditions. Additionally, the legislation requires an acuity-based patient classification system to assess nursing care needs and provides whistleblower protections for nurses advocating for patient safety.

House Bill 349 further enhances patient care by imposing strict staffing requirements for RNs, ensuring that healthcare facilities cannot terminate or refuse to hire licensed practical nurses, psychiatric technicians, or certified nursing assistants to meet RN staffing levels. It specifies that only direct care RNs may relieve other RNs during breaks and sets specific staffing ratios for critical care, labor and delivery, and emergency departments. The bill also includes whistleblower protections for RNs against retaliation for refusing unsafe work assignments and establishes civil penalties for non-compliance. The legislation emphasizes the importance of adequate staffing levels for patient safety and quality care, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.