Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026

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.

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