The "Safe Staffing Act" is designed to establish minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in New Mexico hospitals to ensure quality patient care. It mandates the formation of a "statewide staffing advisory committee" that includes nursing directors and direct care nurses to provide guidance to the Health Care Authority on staffing issues. Hospitals are required to create and implement policies that comply with these ratios, which differ by unit type, and must report any deviations along with corrective plans. The act also introduces administrative penalties for non-compliance, including civil penalties for repeated violations, while allowing for waivers for rural or critical access hospitals under specific conditions.

Additionally, the bill enacts a new section in the Health Care Code that requires the authority to collect and maintain data on registered nurses in hospitals starting July 1, 2026. This data will include retention rates, utilization of agency nurses, turnover rates, and open staff positions, which will help assess the state's nursing workforce shortage. The authority is also tasked with evaluating the Nurse Licensure Compact's impact on the nursing workforce and maintaining a publicly accessible website with annual retention statistics and staffing levels for each hospital. The bill emphasizes the urgency of its implementation for public health and safety, stating that it should take effect immediately.