The Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act establishes minimum staffing standards for registered professional nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel in general and special hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. The act mandates the Commissioner of Health to adopt regulations that set specific nurse-to-patient and unlicensed assistive personnel-to-patient ratios, ensuring that these ratios do not decrease from existing standards. For instance, the bill specifies that there should be one registered professional nurse for every four patients in medical/surgical units and one for every two patients in critical care units. Additionally, the act requires hospitals to implement an acuity and staffing system to potentially increase staffing levels beyond the minimum requirements.

To enforce these standards, the Department of Health will conduct periodic inspections and respond to complaints regarding violations of the staffing requirements. Individuals, including registered nurses and collective bargaining agents, can file complaints with the Commissioner of Health, who is obligated to investigate and determine compliance. Hospitals found in violation may face civil penalties, with collected fines directed to a newly established Patient Protection and Staffing Fund, which will be used to enhance nursing recruitment, support student loan forgiveness for nursing students, and increase pay for nursing educators. The act also requires the Commissioner of Human Services to review and revise staffing regulations for developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals to ensure safe staffing practices.