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SCR 119

REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jarrett Keohokalole

Hawaii's Center for Nursing will study and recommend safe patient-to-nurse staffing ratios to improve care quality and worker conditions.

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.
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Bill Summary · SCR 119

Legislative bill overview

SCR 119 requests that Hawaii's State Center for Nursing conduct a comprehensive study to establish recommended safe patient-to-nurse staffing ratios for healthcare facilities across the state. The resolution aims to provide evidence-based guidelines that could inform future healthcare policy and workforce planning in Hawaii.

Why is this important

Patient-to-nurse ratios directly impact patient safety, nurse burnout, and healthcare quality. Hawaii currently lacks statewide standards for safe staffing levels, which can result in inconsistent care quality across facilities and contribute to nurse fatigue and turnover. The study could provide data to support future legislation establishing minimum staffing requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Facilities may argue that mandated staffing ratios increase operational expenses, potentially raising healthcare costs for consumers and straining budgets at rural or smaller hospitals
  • Flexibility vs. standardization: Healthcare facilities prefer operational flexibility to adjust staffing based on patient acuity and needs, while advocates worry that voluntary guidelines without enforcement lack teeth
  • Scope concerns: Disagreement may arise over which facility types (hospitals, long-term care, urgent care) should be included and whether the study should recommend binding regulations or advisory guidelines

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

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