Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026 has not moved since its introduction on Aug 6, 2026, with cosponsors from both parties
Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 153 words.
Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026 This bill requires certain providers, as a condition of Medicare participation, to limit mandatory overtime for nurses. Specifically, the bill prohibits hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and other specified providers from requiring nurses to work (1) more than a previously scheduled shift, 48 hours in a workweek, or 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period; or (2) during the 10 hours immediately following the 12th hour worked in a shift during a 24-hour period. Qualifying work hours include time spent in training, on call, and on standby. The bill's provisions do not apply during declared emergencies or disasters, subject to specified conditions, and do not preclude voluntary overtime. The bill also establishes (1) certain protections for nurses who file complaints against providers, (2) documentation and notice requirements for providers, and (3) potential civil penalties for violations.
- Committees
- House Energy and Commerce Committee
House Ways and Means Committee - Policy area
- Health: 122 of 9,357 bills became law, 113th–118th (1.3%)
- Sponsor
- 6 of 154 bills enacted since 2013
- Text versions
- 1: introduced in house · 2,407 words
- Latest action
- Aug 6, 2026: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Records
- Congress.gov · Bill text
Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 1 in all.
Related, per CRS or House · 1
- 119th S. 5319 Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act D · Introduced