Massachusetts Healthcare Spending Bill Bans Nursing Overtime

Mandatory overtime for nurses is now prohibited under a new healthcare spending bill signed into law by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, according to a Massachusetts Nurses Association news release.

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Under the law, a hospital cannot, except in the case of a declared emergency, require a nurse to work beyond their scheduled shift, and no nurse would be required to work more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Hospitals who assign a mandatory overtime shift are required to report those incidents to the Department of Public Health, along with the justification for its use. Any nurse can refuse overtime without fear of retribution or discipline.

The law is expected to save up to $200 million over the next 15 years.

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