This bill establishes new regulations regarding nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in licensed hospitals in New Mexico. It mandates the Health Care Authority to create and enforce minimum staffing ratios, which will be developed with input from a newly formed Statewide Staffing Advisory Committee. The committee will consist of fourteen members, including nursing directors from various types of hospitals and direct care nurses, and will advise the authority on staffing matters. Hospitals are required to develop policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these staffing ratios, including training for nursing staff and unlicensed personnel involved in patient care.

Additionally, the bill outlines the enforcement mechanisms for violations of the staffing requirements, including a system of administrative penalties for non-compliance. Hospitals must report deviations from the established staffing ratios and provide plans to prevent future occurrences. The authority is empowered to impose civil penalties for repeated violations and may require corrective action plans. The bill also allows for waivers for rural and critical access hospitals under certain circumstances, ensuring that staffing requirements can be adjusted in response to specific challenges faced by these facilities.