Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to establish safe staffing standards for nurses in hospitals across Montana. The bill mandates that each licensed hospital develop a nurse staffing plan in collaboration with a staffing committee, which must include at least 50% registered nurses in non-supervisory roles. The staffing plan must outline minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, detail the hospital's employment practices regarding temporary and traveling nurses, and include a process for internal review and input from direct care staff. Additionally, hospitals are required to maintain accurate records of nurse-to-patient ratios and submit their staffing plans annually to the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The bill prescribes specific minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for various hospital units, including emergency rooms, intensive care units, labor and delivery units, and others. For instance, in an emergency room, a nurse cannot be assigned more than four non-trauma patients or one trauma patient, while in an intensive care unit, the limit is two patients per nurse. The legislation aims to enhance patient care quality and safety by ensuring adequate nurse staffing levels in hospitals.