118th Congress Health
S. 3860: Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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.
Read the full summary
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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Laphonza Butler D-CAOriginal
- John Fetterman D-PAOriginal
- Chris Van Hollen D-MDOriginal
Who scored on this bill
No member has earned points from it yet.
See all scorers and every scoring event
Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Jeff Merkley
- S. 1874: Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026
- S. 4259: Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026
- S.J.Res. 196: Disapproval of Department of Education rule: Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations
- S.J.Res. 156: Disapproval of Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule rule: Truth in Lending (Regulation Z); Consumer Credit Offered to Borrowers in Advance of Expected Receipt of Compensation for Work
- S. 1092: WIPPES Act
- S. 2110: REUSE Act of 2025
History
- Introduced in the Senate by Jeff Merkley.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.