The "Florida Patient Protection Act" aims to improve patient care standards in healthcare 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 requires healthcare facilities to create staffing plans that meet specified minimum levels based on the type of hospital or clinical unit. It also prohibits the use of video cameras as a substitute for direct observation by registered nurses and allows for exemptions during declared states of emergency under certain conditions.

Additionally, the bill provides whistleblower protections for registered nurses, enabling them to report unsafe patient conditions without fear of retaliation. It establishes a cause of action for violations, including remedies and civil penalties, and mandates that the Agency for Health Care Administration post relevant information online. The legislation specifies that staffing levels cannot be averaged over time and prohibits mandatory overtime to meet these requirements. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure safe and effective patient care through adequate nursing staff while safeguarding the rights of healthcare workers.