A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026 aims to protect patients by limiting mandatory overtime for nurses in certain Medicare-funded providers. It prohibits forcing nurses to work beyond their scheduled shifts, more than 48 hours a week, or more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period. Exceptions are allowed during declared emergencies or disasters under specific conditions. The bill includes protections for nurses against retaliation and provides a process for filing complaints with the Secretary. Additionally, it establishes civil money penalties for providers who violate these rules.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill mandates studies on overtime practices in facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Scored +5
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill requires a study of overtime practices within medical facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill mandates oversight of overtime practices in VA-operated facilities.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Providers may face civil money penalties and higher administrative burdens due to the new overtime restrictions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Patient Safety: By limiting work hours, the bill seeks to reduce medical errors caused by fatigue, poor sleep, and lack of alertness among nurses (Section 2, Paragraph 3).
-
Protection Against Forced Overtime: Nurses are protected from being required to work in excess of their scheduled shifts, more than 48 hours per week, or more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period (Section 3, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph A).
-
Job Security and Nondiscrimination: The bill prevents providers from retaliating against, penalizing, or discriminating against nurses who refuse mandatory overtime or report violations (Section 3, Paragraph 4, Subparagraph A).
-
Whistleblower Rights: Nurses have the right to file complaints with the Secretary regarding violations, and the Secretary is required to investigate these complaints (Section 3, Paragraph 3, Subparagraphs A and B).
-
Protection Against Unfair Professional Reporting: Providers are prohibited from filing complaints against a nurse with state professional disciplinary agencies simply because the nurse refused to work mandatory overtime (Section 3, Paragraph 4, Subparagraph B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Exceptions During Emergencies: During a declared emergency or disaster, providers may still require nurses to work beyond the established limits if they have made reasonable efforts to fill staffing needs and there is potential harm to an assigned patient (Section 3, Paragraph 2).
-
Mandatory Overtime Definition: The definition of "mandatory overtime" includes hours that, if refused, may result in adverse employment consequences like discharge or loss of promotion (Section 3, Paragraph 9, Subparagraph A).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill mandates studies on overtime practices in facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Limiting nurse fatigue through overtime restrictions can improve the safety and quality of healthcare delivery.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight of Medicare-funded providers regarding nursing work hours. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of provider names and violation details on a government website.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill requires a study of overtime practices within medical facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill mandates oversight of overtime practices in VA-operated facilities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Providers may face civil money penalties and higher administrative burdens due to the new overtime restrictions.
- 8/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/13/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/6/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico