Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act
Latest action (6 Aug 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 5319 would amend Medicare law (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) to limit the number of mandatory overtime hours that nurses can be required to work at health care facilities that receive Medicare payments. As of introduction, the bill's full text has not yet been published, so the specific hour limits, enforcement mechanisms, and other operational details are not yet known.
Based on the title, the bill would primarily affect nurses working at Medicare-participating providers, protecting them from being required to work beyond a set number of overtime hours. It would also affect the hospitals, nursing facilities, and other providers subject to Medicare payment rules, who would need to comply with whatever overtime restrictions the final text establishes.
The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on August 6, 2026, by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Its only recorded action so far is introduction. From here, it would typically be referred to a Senate committee (such as Finance) for review; it would need to pass committee, then the full Senate, then the House, and be signed by the President to become law. No further action has occurred yet, and there is no timeline for when the full text or next steps will be available.
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
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 S. 5319 do?
- S. 5319 would amend Medicare law (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) to limit the number of mandatory overtime hours that nurses can be required to work at health care facilities that receive Medicare payments. As of introduction, the bill's full text has not yet been published, so the specific hour limits, enforcement mechanisms, and other operational details are not yet known. Based on the title, the bill would primarily affect nurses working at Medicare-participating providers, protecting them from being required to work beyond a set number of overtime hours. It would also affect the hospitals, nursing facilities, and other providers subject to Medicare payment rules, who would need to comply with whatever overtime restrictions the final text establishes. The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on August 6, 2026, by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Its only recorded action so far is introduction. From here, it would typically be referred to a Senate committee (such as Finance) for review; it would need to pass committee, then the full Senate, then the House, and be signed by the President to become law. No further action has occurred yet, and there is no timeline for when the full text or next steps will be available.
- Has S. 5319 become law?
- Not yet. As of 6 Aug 2026, S. 5319 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5319?
- S. 5319 was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR] (Democrat-OR), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5319?
- Introduced (6 Aug 2026).
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