The Hospital Patient Safety Act requires all hospitals in New Mexico to form staffing committees dedicated to creating and implementing staffing plans that prioritize patient safety. Each hospital must establish three committees: a hospital nursing staffing committee, a professional and technical staffing committee, and a hospital service staffing committee, with direct care staff comprising at least fifty-one percent of each committee. These committees are tasked with developing written staffing plans, regularly reviewing them, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The Act also specifies that nursing staffing plans must be submitted biannually to the Department of Health starting January 1, 2026, and must include minimum staffing ratios for various hospital units to ensure adequate patient care.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new requirements for hospitals licensed under the Public Health Act, mandating the submission of professional and technical staffing plans and hospital service staffing plans every January 1 and July 1. These plans must be developed by the staffing committees and include a written certification of their adequacy for safe healthcare services. Hospitals are required to post their approved staffing plans in accessible locations and on their websites. The Act also establishes a process for the Department to address violations, including penalties, while allowing exemptions during emergencies and granting waivers to rural or critical access hospitals that demonstrate efforts to secure adequate staffing.