NURSING HOME-NURSE OVERTIME

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that every application to operate a nursing home made on or after July 1, 2008, must include a plan to reasonably prevent and protect employees of the nursing home from violence or violent acts. Provides that no nurse may be required to work mandated overtime except in the case of an unforeseen emergent circumstance when such overtime is required only as a last resort, and limits the time of such overtime. Provides that when a nurse is mandated to work up to 12 consecutive hours, the nurse must be allowed at least 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time. Provides for penalties for violations. Provides that no later than July 1, 2008, every facility licensed under the Act must adopt and implement a plan to reasonably prevent and protect employees of the facility from violence or violent acts; sets forth features that must be included in the plan. Provides that no later than July 1, 2009, a nursing home must provide violence prevention training to all its affected employees as determined by the plan. Provides that every nursing home must keep a record of any violent act against a nursing home employee, patient, or visitor that occurred at the nursing home on or after July 1, 2008. Requires the Department of Public Health to collaborate with nursing home representatives to develop technical assistance and training seminars on developing and implementing a workplace violence prevention plan. Effective immediately.