Relating to hospital staffing.
Summary
Requires a vote to adopt a nurse staffing plan by a hospital nurse staffing committee to be documented in the staffing plan. Directs a hospital to implement a hospital-wide nurse staffing plan that has been developed and adopted by the hospital nurse staffing committee or, if the committee has not adopted a plan, a hospital-wide nurse staffing plan that meets the statutory requirements. Directs that the statutory direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios constitute the nurse staffing plan for a unit if the hospital nurse staffing committee has not adopted a nurse staffing plan for the unit. Changes from four to five the number of patients that a direct care registered nurse may be assigned for a medical-surgical unit under the statutory staffing ratios. Allows a type C hospital to vary from the statutory direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Requires a unit manager to notify the cochairs of the hospital nurse staffing committee after each deviation from a nurse staffing plan. Establishes a maximum amount in civil penalties that may be imposed for violations of the hospital staffing requirements. Directs that all civil penalties collected shall be distributed to the local public health authorities. Prohibits the impositions of civil penalties for violations that occur before July 1, 2027. Modifies what constitutes a single violation for purposes of failure to comply with certain staffing ratios.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Last action Mar 7, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
In committee upon adjournment.
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Health Care.
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Diane Linthicum
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 1558
Scope: OR
Hi! I can help you understand SB 1558. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline