Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026
Latest action (6 Aug 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 10056, the Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026, would amend Medicare law to restrict mandatory overtime for nurses at facilities that receive Medicare payments. Covered providers—hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, rehabilitation agencies, clinics, and federally qualified health centers—could not require a nurse to work beyond a scheduled shift, more than 48 hours a week, or more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period, nor require work during the 10 hours following a 12-hour shift. Nurses could still volunteer for overtime. Limited exceptions apply during declared emergencies or disasters, subject to specific conditions.
The bill affects registered, licensed practical, and licensed vocational nurses, and the Medicare-participating facilities that employ them. It adds whistleblower and nondiscrimination protections for nurses who refuse mandatory overtime or report violations, requires providers to post overtime policies and nurse schedules, and authorizes civil money penalties (up to $10,000 per knowing violation, more for repeat patterns) enforced by HHS. It does not preempt stronger state protections. The amendments would take effect one year after enactment; the bill also directs HHS/AHRQ to study safe nurse work-hour standards (report due within 2 years) and OMB to study overtime practices at federal medical facilities (report due within 6 months).
The bill was introduced in the House on August 6, 2026, by Rep. Doris Matsui, with Rep. Jen Kiggans as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It has not yet been voted on by any committee or the full House; it would need to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026
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.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 10056 do?
- H.R. 10056, the Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026, would amend Medicare law to restrict mandatory overtime for nurses at facilities that receive Medicare payments. Covered providers—hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, rehabilitation agencies, clinics, and federally qualified health centers—could not require a nurse to work beyond a scheduled shift, more than 48 hours a week, or more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period, nor require work during the 10 hours following a 12-hour shift. Nurses could still volunteer for overtime. Limited exceptions apply during declared emergencies or disasters, subject to specific conditions. The bill affects registered, licensed practical, and licensed vocational nurses, and the Medicare-participating facilities that employ them. It adds whistleblower and nondiscrimination protections for nurses who refuse mandatory overtime or report violations, requires providers to post overtime policies and nurse schedules, and authorizes civil money penalties (up to $10,000 per knowing violation, more for repeat patterns) enforced by HHS. It does not preempt stronger state protections. The amendments would take effect one year after enactment; the bill also directs HHS/AHRQ to study safe nurse work-hour standards (report due within 2 years) and OMB to study overtime practices at federal medical facilities (report due within 6 months). The bill was introduced in the House on August 6, 2026, by Rep. Doris Matsui, with Rep. Jen Kiggans as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It has not yet been voted on by any committee or the full House; it would need to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has H.R. 10056 become law?
- Not yet. As of 6 Aug 2026, H.R. 10056 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 10056?
- H.R. 10056 was sponsored by Rep. Doris Matsui [D-CA7] (Democrat-CA), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 10056?
- Introduced (6 Aug 2026).
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