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 nonsupervisory roles. The staffing plan must outline minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for various care units, detailing the skill mix required and the hospital's employment practices regarding temporary and traveling nurses. 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 for certification.

The bill prescribes specific minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for various hospital units, such as a maximum of four patients per nurse in emergency rooms and two patients per nurse in intensive care units. Other specified ratios include one patient per nurse in operating rooms and a maximum of six patients in postpartum units. The legislation emphasizes the importance of patient safety and quality of care by ensuring that hospitals adhere to these staffing standards, which are intended to enhance the overall delivery of healthcare services.