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MarylandSB 04112026 Regular SessionSenate

Hospitals - Clinical Staffing Committees and Plans - Establishment (Safe Staffing Act of 2026)

Sponsored By: Malcolm Augustine (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public HealthCommittees and CommissionsComplaintsDietitians and NutritionistsElectronic GovernmentEmergencies -see also- PandemicsEvaluations and ReviewsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care CommissionHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Hospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsInternet -see also- Internet AccessNoticesNurses -see also- Nurse Practitioners; Nursing AssistantsNursing AssistantsPatientsPhysicians -see also- MedExmnrs; Pediatr; Psychiatrists etc.Plans and ProposalsPublic InformationReportsStandards and Best PracticesWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Hospital staff gain staffing plan access

Covered Maryland hospitals, excluding state hospitals, must give staff their staffing plans on request. Each patient unit must publicly display its plan and actual daily staffing for each shift. After a unit's plan changes, the hospital must promptly post or provide the updated plan. Nursing staff, support staff, and their exclusive representatives retain the right to complain about departures from the plan. The staffing committee must decide by majority vote whether a complaint is adequately resolved. Beginning July 1, 2030, hospitals must report how their committees addressed safe staffing during the prior year. The Maryland Health Care Commission must compile these reports and publish the compilation on its website.

Maryland hospitals must follow staffing plans

The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and covers licensed Maryland hospitals, except state hospitals. Hospitals must establish and maintain staffing committees by July 1, 2027. Hospitals with 150 or fewer licensed beds need 3 managers and 2 employees on the committee. Those with 151 or more licensed beds need 5 managers and 4 employees. Other listed workers, including nurses, technicians, and patient advocates, may participate. The chief nurse executive must draft a staffing plan, and the committee must finalize it to meet patient needs. The committee must consider staffing levels, coverage methods, gaps, evidence-based standards, staff skills, experience, certifications, and a regular review schedule. It must also consider patient numbers, discharges, possible admissions, transfers, and how much nursing care patients need. Plans must follow federal Medicare and Medicaid participation rules and hospital accreditation standards; the law requires no conflicting actions. By July 1 each year, starting in 2028, hospitals must implement their plans and assign staff accordingly to each patient-care unit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Malcolm Augustine

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Shelly Hettleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Benjamin F. Kramer

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cory V. McCray

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 139 • No: 34

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 97 • No: 34 • Other: 9

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 235

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/13/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (97-34)

    4/13/2026House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/13/2026House

  5. Favorable Report by Health

    4/13/2026House

  6. Rereferred to Health

    4/11/2026House

  7. Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

    4/11/2026House

  8. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    4/10/2026Senate

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/10/2026Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments {353621/1 Adopted

    4/10/2026Senate

  11. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    4/10/2026Senate

  12. Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/3/2026Senate

  13. First Reading Finance

    1/29/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/29/2026

    PDF

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