WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 277

An act relating to prohibiting mandatory overtime for nurses

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Martine Gulick

Prohibits health care employers in Vermont from requiring RNs and LPNs to work mandatory overtime.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 277

Summary of Bill S.277 (2025-2026) — Vermont

Purpose and intent

  • Prohibits mandatory overtime for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
  • Aims to protect nurses from compulsory overtime shifts and related staffing pressures, with the goal of improving patient safety, nurse well-being, and workforce sustainability.

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition on mandatory overtime: The bill bars health care employers from requiring nurses to work overtime beyond scheduled shifts as a condition of continued employment.
  • Scope of protected workers: Applies specifically to licensed nurses, including registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

  • Conditions allowed or limited exceptions (if included in text): If the bill contains explicit carve-outs, they would typically address:

    • Temporary or emergency scenarios (e.g., declared emergencies, surge staffing needs) where hospital administrators may use discretionary staffing tools, subject to specific safeguards.
    • Situations where overtime is voluntarily agreed to by the nurse or mandated by other applicable state or federal law.
    • Instances where overtime is essential to ensure patient safety and comply with licensure or accreditation requirements. (Note: The exact exceptions would be drawn directly from the bill text; the summary here reflects common structural approaches to such prohibitions.)

  • Enforcement and penalties (if included): The bill may establish

    • Enforcement mechanisms (e.g., complaints to a health or labor agency, investigations).
    • Potential penalties or remedies for non-compliance, such as administrative fines, injunctive relief, or other remedies provided by Vermont labor or health statutes.
    • Remedies may include whistleblower protections to shield nurses from retaliation for reporting violations.

  • Implementation timeline: The bill may specify effective dates for when the prohibition takes effect (e.g., upon enactment or a defined compliance period afterward).

Who would be affected

  • Directly affected: Employers of nurses, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other health care providers employing RNs and LPNs in Vermont.
  • Indirectly affected: Patients and the broader health care workforce, as overtime practices and staffing models may shift in response to the prohibition.
  • Regulatory bodies: State labor, health, or professional licensing agencies that would oversee compliance and enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Current status: Read 1st time and referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs (as of 2026-01-20).
  • Next steps: The committee would review the bill, potentially hold hearings, revise the measure, and then move it toward a floor vote in the Vermont General Assembly.
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsor Martine Gulick (in addition to primary sponsor as applicable).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Nurse well-being and safety: If enacted, the prohibition could reduce fatigue-related risks for nurses and improve decision-making and patient care quality.
  • Staffing and scheduling: Employers may need to adjust staffing models, recruit additional personnel, or rely on travel/agency staffing to cover shifts without forcing overtime.
  • Financial considerations: Hospitals and facilities might face changes in labor costs and overtime budgeting, with potential cost offsets from improved retention and reduced burnout, depending on implementation.
  • Compliance burden: Facilities would need clear policies, employee agreements (where required), and training to ensure adherence and avoid penalties.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary further to include potential fiscal notes, anticipated regulatory questions, or a plain-language FAQ for patients and staff.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.