Illinois · House Bill 3338 · 103rd General Assembly

SAFE PATIENT LIMITS

HB 3338 Sponsored by Theresa Mah Died in committee

  1. Introduced Feb 17, 2023
  2. In committee Feb 17, 2023
  3. Died  
  4. Passed the Senate  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Creates the Safe Patient Limits Act. Provides the maximum number of patients that may be assigned to a registered nurse in specified situations. Provides that nothing shall preclude a facility from assigning fewer patients to a registered nurse than the limits provided in Act. Provides that nothing in the Act precludes the use of patient acuity systems consistent with the Nurse Staffing by Patient Acuity Act…

Read the full title (279 words)

Creates the Safe Patient Limits Act. Provides the maximum number of patients that may be assigned to a registered nurse in specified situations. Provides that nothing shall preclude a facility from assigning fewer patients to a registered nurse than the limits provided in Act. Provides that nothing in the Act precludes the use of patient acuity systems consistent with the Nurse Staffing by Patient Acuity Act; however, the maximum patient assignments in the Act may not be exceeded, regardless of the use and application of any patient acuity system. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules governing the implementation and operation of the Act. Provides that all facilities shall adopt written policies and procedures for training and orientation of nursing staff and that no registered nurse shall be assigned to a nursing unit or clinical area unless that nurse has, among other things, demonstrated competence in providing care in that area. Provides specified requirements for the Act's implementation by a facility. Establishes recordkeeping requirements. Provides that the written policies and procedures for the training and orientation of nursing staff shall require that all temporary personnel receive the same amount and type of training and orientation that is required for permanent staff. Provides specified nurse rights and protections. Provides that the Act's provisions are severable. Contains other provisions. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital shall not mandate that a registered professional nurse delegate nursing interventions. Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that the exercise of professional judgment by a direct care registered professional nurse in the performance of his or her scope of practice shall be provided in the exclusive interests of the patient.

Every action

23 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 15 earlier steps
  1. HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Theresa Mah
  2. HouseFirst Reading
  3. CommitteeReferred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  4. HouseCommittee/3rd Reading Deadline Extended-Rule April 28, 2023
  5. CommitteeAssigned to Labor & Commerce Committee · House Labor & Commerce
  6. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi
  7. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary E. Flowers
  8. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernández
  9. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo
  10. HouseChief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Fred Crespo
  11. HouseChief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Mary E. Flowers
  12. HouseChief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Barbara Hernández
  13. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed
  14. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly
  15. CommitteeTo Occupational Licenses Subcommittee · House Occupational Licenses
  1. CommitteeRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  2. CommitteeAssigned to Labor & Commerce Committee · House Labor & Commerce
  3. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez
  4. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Yolonda Morris
  5. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin
  6. CommitteeRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  7. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez
  8. HouseSession Sine Die

Roll calls

No recorded votes on this bill yet.

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 10 cosponsors: 10 Democrats.

All 10 cosponsors

From Illinois's official records (www.ilga.gov), checked Nov 13, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.