The Hospital Patient Safety Act requires all hospitals in New Mexico to establish staffing committees dedicated to developing and maintaining staffing plans that prioritize patient safety. Each hospital must form three distinct committees: a hospital nursing staffing committee, a professional and technical staffing committee, and a hospital service staffing committee, all of which must include a majority of direct care staff. These committees are tasked with creating written staffing plans, reviewing them regularly, and ensuring compliance with established staffing ratios based on patient acuity and care needs. Starting January 1, 2026, hospitals must submit their nursing staffing plans to the Department of Health biannually, and the act outlines specific definitions and operational requirements for the committees, including quarterly meetings and compensation for members.

The bill also introduces new requirements for hospitals to submit professional and technical staffing plans and hospital service staffing plans every January 1 and July 1, which must be developed and approved by the staffing committees. These plans must include a written certification ensuring they are adequate for providing safe healthcare services for the upcoming six-month period, taking into account factors such as patient census and acuity levels. Additionally, hospitals are required to post their approved staffing plans in publicly accessible areas and on their websites. The act establishes a process for reporting and addressing violations, including penalties, while allowing for exemptions during emergencies and waivers for rural or critical access hospitals that demonstrate efforts to secure adequate staffing.