All Roll Calls
Yes: 359 • No: 0
TexasHB 218789th Legislature Regular SessionHouse
Relating to hospital staffing report and complaint processes and to retaliation and mandatory overtime protections for nurses.
Sponsored By: Drew Darby, Donna Howard, Charles Perry (Republican), Joanne Shofner
Signed by Governor
Civil Remedies & LiabilitiesElectronic Information SystemsHealth Care ProvidersHospitalsNURSES & NURSE AIDESWHISTLEBLOWERSHEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONSTATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Nurses gain protection against hospital retaliation
Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas hospitals cannot fire, suspend, discipline, or discriminate against nurses for protected staffing activities. These include sharing information with the nurse staffing committee or reporting staffing violations to hospital management or the state health commission. Nurses are also protected when refusing mandatory overtime or reporting violations of the overtime rules. The law extends overtime protections to mental hospitals, including state-operated hospitals.
Texas strengthens hospital staffing reports and complaints
Beginning September 1, 2025, each hospital’s chief nursing officer must confirm its staffing reports are accurate. The health department must share those reports with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The commission enforces staffing and overtime requirements through existing hospital licensing systems, including those for licensed mental hospitals. Written or spoken complaints receive review and response deadlines, plus written notices explaining decisions, staff contacts, actions, outcomes, and resolution dates. Complaint records remain confidential except for disclosures allowed by the referenced laws. The law requires any needed implementation rules by December 31, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Drew Darby
House
Donna Howard
House
Charles Perry
Republican • Senate
Joanne Shofner
House
Cosponsors
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Royce West
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/20/2025
Record vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/20/2025
Record vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 5/2/2025
Record vote
Yes: 134 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2025
Record vote
Yes: 143 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Public Health
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Health & Human Services
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/22/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/21/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/21/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/20/2025HouseSenate passage reported
5/20/2025HouseRecord vote
5/20/2025SenatePassed
5/20/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/20/2025SenateRecord vote
5/20/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/20/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/20/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
5/20/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
5/20/2025SenatePlaced on intent calendar
5/20/2025SenateCo-sponsor authorized
5/20/2025SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
5/19/2025SenateRecommended for local & uncontested calendar
5/19/2025SenateReported favorably w/o amendments
5/19/2025SenateCo-sponsor authorized
5/16/2025SenateVote taken in committee
5/15/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
5/15/2025SenateLeft pending in committee
5/14/2025SenateTestimony taken in committee
5/14/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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