Skip to Content
April 16, 2026 Clouds | 64°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.1522 194th (Current)

An Act promoting patient safety and equitable access to care

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1522) of Lydia Edwards, Adam Gomez, Susannah M. Whipps, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote patient safety and equitable access to care. Public Health.

View Text Print Preview Download PDF

Bill Information

Presenter:
Lydia Edwards
Even though hospitals in Massachusetts continue to struggle with overcrowding and understaffing, there is currently no safe limit on how many patients a nurse can be assigned to care for at one time. We have seen nurses across the country who calls for safe limits on the patient-to-nurse ratio. In Massachusetts, nurses are making a new push to limit the number of patients that can be assigned to a registered nurse at one time. This measure would increase safety for patients and improve the overall working conditions for nurses. With an improved patient-to-nurse ratio, nurses will have more incentives to return to the workforce, knowing that their hard work and dedication is respected with a safer work environment. Resolution of this issue requires the Department of Public Health to develop minimum staffing levels for all areas of the hospital with consideration of the nature and operation of the different hospital units.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.