Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2005

The Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2005 (H.R. 791) proposes to limit the ability of hospitals and healthcare facilities to require nurses to work mandatory overtime, except during officially declared emergencies. The bill aims to improve patient safety and nurse well-being by establishing federal standards for maximum working hours and protecting nurses from employer retaliation if they refuse to work beyond their scheduled shifts. Additionally, the legislation would require federal studies to determine optimal nursing hour standards and assess how current overtime practices in government medical facilities align with these new safety requirements.