Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4074: 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). 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. Modifies the definition of type C hospital. Requires a unit manager to notify the cochairs of the hospital nurse staffing committee after each deviation from a nurse staffing plan. Directs the Oregon Health Authority to determine whether a complaint is valid or not within 30 days after receiving the complaint. Requires the authority to accept an attestation from a hospital as sufficient documentation the hospital took certain actions. 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 paid into the Hospital Quality Assurance Fund. Requires the authority to submit an annual report on the number and types of violations to the committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care. Prohibits the impositions of civil penalties for violations that occur before July 1, 2030.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to hospital staffing; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 441.762, 441.763, 441.765, 441.791, 441.792, 441.793 and 442.470.
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, 441.765, 441.791, 441.792, 441.793 and 442.470. 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 matter …
Sponsors
- Emily McIntire (R, 56) · primary sponsor
- Eric Reschke (R, 55)
- Edwin Diehl (R, 17) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : In committee upon adjournment.
- : Public Hearing held.
- : Referred to Health Care.
- : First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Common questions
- What is HB4074?
- HB4074 is a bill in the Oregon Legislature (2026 Legislative Measures): Relating to hospital staffing.
- What does HB4074 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to hospital staffing; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 441.762, 441.763, 441.765, 441.791, 441.792, 441.793 and 442.470.
- What is the status of HB4074?
- Failed as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: In committee upon adjournment. (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB4074?
- Emily McIntire (R, 56), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB4074?
- On the Oregon Legislature website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/4074
Source: official Oregon record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.