SB 6945 - DIGEST

Requires, by September 1, 2008, each hospital to establish a nurse staffing committee, either by creating a new committee or assigning the functions of a nurse staffing committee to an existing committee.

Details the primary responsibilities of the nurse staffing committee.

Requires the committee to produce the hospital's annual nurse staffing plan. If this staffing plan is not adopted by the hospital, the chief executive officer shall provide a written explanation of the reasons why to the committee.

Requires each hospital to post, in a public area on each patient care unit, the nurse staffing plan and the nurse staffing schedule for that shift on that unit, as well as the relevant clinical staffing for that shift. The staffing plan and current staffing levels must also be made available to patients and visitors upon request.