Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon SB1558: Relating to hospital staffing.
Status: Failed, March 6, 2026
Digest: Makes changes to the laws regarding hospital nurse staffing plans. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.3). Requires a vote to adopt a nurse staffing plan by a hospital nurse staffing committee to be documented in the staffing plan. Directs a hospital to implement a hospital-wide nurse staffing plan that has been developed and adopted by the hospital nurse staffing committee or, if the committee has not adopted a plan, a hospital-wide nurse staffing plan that meets the statutory requirements. Directs that the statutory direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios constitute the nurse staffing plan for a unit if the hospital nurse staffing committee has not adopted a nurse staffing plan for the unit. Changes from four to five the number of patients that a direct care registered nurse may be assigned for a medical-surgical unit under the statutory staffing ratios. Allows a type C hospital to vary from the statutory direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Requires a unit manager to notify the cochairs of the hospital nurse staffing committee after each deviation from a nurse staffing plan. Establishes a maximum amount in civil penalties that may be imposed for violations of the hospital staffing requirements. Directs that all civil penalties collected shall be distributed to the local public health authorities. Prohibits the impositions of civil penalties for violations that occur before July 1, 2027. Modifies what constitutes a single violation for purposes of failure to comply with certain staffing ratios.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to hospital staffing; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 441.762, 441.763, 441.764, 441.765, 441.792 and 441.793.
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to hospital staffing; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 441.762, 441.763, 441.764, 441.765, 441.792 and 441.793. Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. ORS 441.762 is amended to read: 441.762. (1)(a) For each hospital there shall be established a hospital nurse staffing committee. Each hospital nurse staffing committee (B) For the portion of the committee composed of direct care staff, consist entirely of direct care registered nurses, except for one position to be filled by a direct care staff member who is not a registered nurse and whose services are covered by a [written] hospital-wide nurse staffing plan; and (C) Include at least one direct care registered nurse from each hospital nurse specialty or unit. (b) If any of the direct care registered nurses who work at a hospital have an exclusive representative, the exclusive representative shall select the direct care registered nurse members of the committee. (c) If the direct care staff member who is not a registered nurse who works at a hospital has an exclusive representative, the exclusive representative shall select the direct care staff member of the committee who is not a registered nurse. (d) If none of the direct care registered nurses who work at a hospital are represented by an exclusive representative, …
Sponsors
- Diane Linthicum (R, 28) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : In committee upon adjournment.
- : Referred to Health Care.
- : Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
Common questions
- What is SB1558?
- SB1558 is a bill in the Oregon Legislature (2026 Legislative Measures): Relating to hospital staffing.
- What does SB1558 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to hospital staffing; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 441.762, 441.763, 441.764, 441.765, 441.792 and 441.793.
- What is the status of SB1558?
- Failed as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: In committee upon adjournment. (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB1558?
- Diane Linthicum (R, 28).
- Where is the official record for SB1558?
- On the Oregon Legislature website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/1558
Source: official Oregon record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.