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S 373 108th Congress Senate

Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2003

Official title: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for patient protection by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be requ… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for patient protection by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work in certain providers of services to which payments are made under the medicare program.

Introduced: February 12, 2003 See on congress.gov
Health Accreditation (Medical care)Armed Forces and National SecurityCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesClinics
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CongressCongressional reporting requirementsDisciplining of employeesDiscrimination in employmentElectronic government informationEmployee rightsFines (Penalties)Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment publicityGovernmental investigationsHome care servicesHospital personnelHours of laborInternetLabor and Employment
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 12, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Feb 12, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2358)
Feb 12, 2003
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action February 12, 2003

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to place limitations on mandatory overtime for nurses, protect nurses against retaliation in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment, and provide for civil money penalties for violations of such provisions.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on standards to establish for the maximum number of hours that a nurse may work without compromising the safety of their patients.

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study and report to Congress on the extent to which federally operated medical facilities have in effect practices and policies with respect to overtime requirements for nurses that are inconsistent with the overtime requirements added by this Act.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 745 Identical bill Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2003
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · Feb 12, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 373: Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-373/
MLA
"S. 373: Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-373/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 373, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-373/.
Markdown link
[S. 373: Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-373/)
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