THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

101

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the Department of hEalth to convene a health care facilities labor standards working group to research, assess, and make recommendations on the best practices in labor standards that can be implemented at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State.

 

 

     WHEREAS, upon admission to a hospital, patients rightfully expect adequate staffing to ensure prompt and effective care, therefore sufficient staffing is essential; and

 

     WHEREAS, the health care sector within the State is facing a persistent staffing crisis; and

 

     WHEREAS, decades of incremental increases to staff-to-patient ratios and expectations for patient care have led working conditions in the health care profession to become increasingly unpredictable, unsafe, and unwelcoming to those who are currently health care professionals and those who may aspire to become health care professionals in the future; and

 

     WHEREAS, the notion that enforcing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios would lead to longer wait times is flawed; appropriate nurse staffing levels in health care facilities can boost efficiency and shorten wait times for patients; and

 

     WHEREAS, ensuring reasonable nurse-to-patient ratios in health care facilities leads to higher job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and a more appealing nursing profession; and

 

     WHEREAS, a health care facilities labor standards working group would benefit the State by researching, assessing, and making recommendations on the best practices in labor standards that can be implemented at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a Health Care Facilities Labor Standards Working Group to research, assess, and make recommendations on the best practices in labor standards that can be implemented at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to research, assess, and make recommendations on:

 

     (1)  The potential benefits and impacts associated with the implementation and enforcement of labor standards at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State, including but not limited to the establishment and enforcement of minimum staffing standards; hospital staffing committees; and mandatory meal breaks, rest breaks, and overtime standards;

 

     (2)  The best practices in labor standards that can be implemented at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State; and

 

     (3)  Any other issues that may arise, pursuant to the discretion of the working group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members or their designees:

 

     (1)  One member from the Board of Nursing to be invited by the Director of Health, to act as the chair of the working group;

 

     (2)  One member from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation;

 

     (3)  One member from the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, University of Hawaii at Manoa;

 

     (4)  Three members with experience in the health care industry, including nurses and others working in health care facilities and unions representing health care workers, to be selected by the Senate President; and

 

     (5)  Three members with experience in the health care industry, including nurses and others working in health care facilities and unions representing health care workers to be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group may request assistance and feedback from the Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide expertise to assist the working group in carrying out their duties; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Director of Health, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, Chairperson of the Board of Nursing, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and Director of the Hawaii State Center for Nursing.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

DOH; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Health Care Facilities Labor Standards Working Group; Staffing; Work Environment; Nurses; Nurse Aides; Hospitals; Care Homes; Dialysis Facilities; Report