S. 5319 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Aug 6, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLimits mandatory overtime for nurses at hospitals
This bill sets rules for how much nurses can be required to work at hospitals and other healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare. It would prevent these providers from requiring nurses to work beyond their scheduled shift, more than 48 hours in a week, or more than 12 hours straight in a single day. It also requires a 10-hour break after working 12 hours before a nurse can be required to work again. The rules don't apply during emergencies or disasters, and nurses can still volunteer for extra shifts if they want to.
How it affects you
If you're a nurse at a hospital or healthcare facility, this change means there are legal limits on how much mandatory overtime your employer can require. The bill also protects you from retaliation if you file a complaint about violations. For patients, the bill's goal is to ensure nurses aren't overworked to the point that patient care might be affected.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Aug 6, 2026)
Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 5319
A BILL
Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) · Introduced Aug 6, 2026 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Aug 6, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.”