The Nurse and Patient Safety Act, S.F. No. 1384, seeks to improve labor policies and enhance safety measures for healthcare workers in Minnesota. A significant feature of the bill is the establishment of a health professional education loan forgiveness program aimed at supporting medical residents, mental health professionals, and nurses who agree to work in rural or underserved urban areas. The bill also introduces definitions such as "hospital nurse" and sets eligibility criteria for the loan forgiveness program, which includes a minimum service obligation. Additionally, it mandates hospitals to create and implement preparedness and incident response action plans to address workplace violence, ensuring that healthcare workers are actively involved in identifying and mitigating risks.

The legislation further requires hospitals to assess workplace violence hazards, develop effective reporting procedures, and coordinate with other employers in shared facilities. It also mandates the disclosure of action plans to local law enforcement and direct care staff, along with annual reporting to the commissioner of health. The commissioner is responsible for compiling a report on the nursing workforce and may impose fines on non-compliant hospitals. The bill includes provisions for childcare costs related to nursing facility employee scholarships and outlines financial adjustments for the general fund and the establishment of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, and includes amendments to existing Minnesota Statutes to align with its new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 182.659, 182.66, 182.661, 182.676
1st Engrossment: 179A.12, 13.43, 120A.414, 122A.181, 122A.26, 122A.40, 122A.41, 177.27, 177.42, 179A.03, 179A.06, 179A.07, 181.03, 181.06, 181.172, 181.275, 181.932, 181.939, 181.940, 181.941, 181.9413, 181.942, 181.9436, 181.945, 181.9456, 181.956, 181.964, 182.659, 182.66, 182.661, 182.676, 326B.093, 326B.106, 326B.163, 326B.164, 326B.31, 326B.32, 326B.36, 326B.805, 326B.921, 326B.925, 326B.988, 572B.17
2nd Engrossment: 13.43, 120A.414, 122A.181, 122A.26, 122A.40, 122A.41, 177.27, 177.42, 179A.03, 179A.06, 179A.07, 179A.12, 181.03, 181.06, 181.172, 181.275, 181.932, 181.939, 181.940, 181.941, 181.9413, 181.942, 181.9436, 181.945, 181.9456, 181.956, 181.964, 182.659, 182.66, 182.661, 182.676, 326B.093, 326B.106, 326B.163, 326B.164, 326B.31, 326B.32, 326B.36, 326B.805, 326B.921, 326B.925, 326B.988, 572B.17
3rd Engrossment: 144.1501, 144.566, 144.608, 147A.08
1st Unofficial Engrossment: 13.43, 120A.414, 122A.181, 122A.26, 122A.40, 122A.41, 177.27, 177.42, 179A.03, 179A.06, 179A.07, 179A.12, 182.659, 182.66, 182.661, 182.676, 326B.093, 326B.106, 326B.163, 326B.164, 326B.31, 326B.32, 326B.36, 326B.805, 326B.921, 326B.925, 326B.988, 572B.17
CCR-SF1384A: 144.1501, 144.566, 144.608, 144.653, 144.7055, 144.7067, 147A.08
CCR-SF1384B: 144.1501, 144.566, 144.608, 147A.08
CCR-SF1384C: 144.1501, 144.566, 144.608, 147A.08
1st Engrossment: 179A.12, 13.43, 120A.414, 122A.181, 122A.26, 122A.40, 122A.41, 177.27, 177.42, 179A.03, 179A.06, 179A.07, 181.03, 181.06, 181.172, 181.275, 181.932, 181.939, 181.940, 181.941, 181.9413, 181.942, 181.9436, 181.945, 181.9456, 181.956, 181.964, 182.659, 182.66, 182.661, 182.676, 326B.093, 326B.106, 326B.163, 326B.164, 326B.31, 326B.32, 326B.36, 326B.805, 326B.921, 326B.925, 326B.988, 572B.17