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 create staffing plans that comply with these minimum levels, 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 specific conditions.

Additionally, the bill includes whistle-blower protections for registered nurses, enabling them to report unsafe patient conditions without fear of retaliation. It establishes a cause of action for violations, specifies remedies, and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance. The legislation also outlines stricter staffing requirements, ensuring that only direct care registered nurses can relieve each other during breaks and sets specific nurse-to-patient ratios for various specialized areas. The act is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to ensure safe and effective patient care while protecting the rights of health care workers.