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Senator introduces S.277 to ban mandatory nurse overtime, counsel outlines exceptions and reporting
Summary
Sen. Martin introduced S.277, titled 'Safe hours for safe care,' to prohibit mandatory overtime for registered and licensed practical nurses in Vermont hospitals and long-term care facilities except in defined emergencies; counsel outlined definitions, reporting requirements to the Department of Health and fines for violations, and the committee requested more stakeholder testimony and JFO analysis.
Sen. Martin Nora Bueller introduced S.277 on Tuesday to prohibit hospitals and long-term care facilities from requiring registered nurses or licensed practical nurses to work mandatory overtime except in limited, specified emergencies. "Safe hours for safe care" is the sponsor's preferred name for the proposal, which the sponsor said grew out of constituent concerns about nurses working 12‑hour shifts with short breaks.
Sophie of the Office of Legislative Counsel told the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee the bill would place the prohibition under Vermont's labor statutes and use existing statutory definitions for hospitals and long‑term care facilities. Sophie summarized the core definitions: mandatory overtime is work required in excess of an agreed-upon, predetermined scheduled shift, capped at 12 hours in any 24‑hour period and 48 hours in any work week, and the bill covers…
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