S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3839--A
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
April 2, 2009
___________
Introduced by Sens. DUANE, ADDABBO, DIAZ, FOLEY, KLEIN, KRUEGER,
MAZIARZ, MONTGOMERY, OPPENHEIMER, PARKER, PERALTA, PERKINS, STACHOW-
SKI, THOMPSON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to
be committed to the Committee on Health -- recommitted to the Commit-
tee on Health in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public health law and the education law, in relation
to a safe patient handling policy for health care facilities
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Article 29-D of the public health law is amended by adding
a new title 4 to read as follows:
TITLE 4
SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY
SECTION 2999-G. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
2999-H. DEFINITIONS.
2999-I. NEW YORK STATE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING TASK FORCE.
2999-J. STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY.
2999-K. HEALTH CARE FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEES.
2999-L. ENFORCEMENT.
S 2999-G. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY FINDS AND
DECLARES THAT IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO ENACT A STATEWIDE SAFE
PATIENT HANDLING POLICY FOR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN NEW YORK STATE.
WITHOUT SAFE PATIENT HANDLING LEGISLATION, IT IS PREDICTED THAT THE
DEMAND FOR NURSING SERVICES WILL EXCEED THE SUPPLY BY NEARLY THIRTY
PERCENT BY THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY THUS DECREASING THE QUALITY OF
HEALTH CARE IN NEW YORK STATE. THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS THAT CAN BE
DERIVED FROM SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAMS. PATIENTS BENEFIT THROUGH
IMPROVED QUALITY OF CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE BY REDUCING THE RISK OF
FALLS, BEING DROPPED, FRICTION BURNS, SKIN TEARS AND BRUISES. CAREGIVERS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10860-05-0
S. 3839--A 2
BENEFIT FROM THE REDUCED RISK OF CAREER ENDING AND DEBILITATING INJURIES
LEADING TO INCREASED MORALE, IMPROVED JOB SATISFACTION AND LONGEVITY IN
THE PROFESSION. HEALTH CARE FACILITIES REALIZE A QUICK RETURN ON THEIR
INVESTMENT THROUGH REDUCED WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL AND INDEMNITY
COSTS, REDUCED LOST WORKDAYS AND IMPROVED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF
CAREGIVERS. ALL OF THIS WILL LEAD TO FISCAL IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH CARE
IN NEW YORK STATE.
S 2999-H. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE:
1. "HEALTH CARE FACILITY" SHALL MEAN ANY INDIVIDUAL, PARTNERSHIP,
ASSOCIATION, CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OR ANY PERSON OR
GROUP OF PERSONS ACTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ON BEHALF OF OR IN THE
INTEREST OF THE EMPLOYER, WHICH PROVIDES HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN A
FACILITY LICENSED OR OPERATED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT, TWENTY-
EIGHT-A OR THIRTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER, OR THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, THE
EDUCATION LAW OR THE CORRECTION LAW, INCLUDING ANY FACILITY OPERATED BY
THE STATE, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION AS
DEFINED BY SECTION SIXTY-SIX OF THE GENERAL CONSTRUCTION LAW.
2. "NURSE" SHALL MEAN A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE OR A LICENSED
PRACTICAL NURSE AS DEFINED BY ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE OF THE
EDUCATION LAW.
3. "DIRECT CARE WORKER" SHALL MEAN ANY EMPLOYEE OF A HEALTH CARE
FACILITY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PATIENT HANDLING OR PATIENT ASSESSMENT
AS A REGULAR OR INCIDENTAL PART OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING ANY
LICENSED OR UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE WORKER.
4. "EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE" SHALL MEAN THE RECOGNIZED OR CERTIFIED
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT FOR NURSES OR DIRECT CARE WORKERS OF A
HEALTHCARE FACILITY.
5. "SAFE PATIENT HANDLING" SHALL MEAN THE USE OF ENGINEERING CONTROLS,
LIFTING AND TRANSFER AIDS, OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES, BY NURSES OR DIRECT
CARE WORKERS, INSTEAD OF MANUAL LIFTING TO PERFORM THE ACTS OF LIFTING,
TRANSFERRING AND REPOSITIONING OF HEALTH CARE PATIENTS AND RESIDENTS.
6. "SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM" SHALL INCLUDE:
(A) A WRITTEN POLICY STATEMENT; AND
(B) MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT; AND
(C) COMMITTEES; AND
(D) RISK ASSESSMENTS; AND
(E) INCIDENT INVESTIGATION; AND
(F) PROCUREMENT OF ENGINEERING CONTROLS, LIFTING AND TRANSFER AIDS OR
ASSISTIVE DEVICES TO ENSURE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING; AND
(G) EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND EDUCATION ON SAFE PATIENT HANDLING; AND
(H) PROGRAM EVALUATION AND MODIFICATION.
S 2999-I. NEW YORK STATE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING TASK FORCE. 1. A NEW
YORK STATE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING TASK FORCE IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT. SUCH TASK FORCE SHALL CONSIST OF A TOTAL OF ELEVEN MEMBERS
AND SHALL INCLUDE THE COMMISSIONER OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMIS-
SIONER OF LABOR OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE
GOVERNOR, TWO SUCH MEMBERS SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF HEALTH CARE
ORGANIZATIONS, ONE SUCH MEMBER SHALL BE FROM AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION
REPRESENTING NURSES AND ONE SUCH MEMBER SHALL BE FROM AN EMPLOYEE ORGAN-
IZATION REPRESENTING DIRECT CARE WORKERS; TWO SUCH MEMBERS SHALL BE
CERTIFIED ERGONOMIST EVALUATION SPECIALISTS; TWO MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED
BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN
FIELDS OF DISCIPLINE RELATED TO HEALTH CARE OR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
ONE SUCH APPOINTEE SHALL BE FROM AN ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING EITHER A
NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER; TWO MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER
OF THE ASSEMBLY, WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN FIELDS OF DISCIPLINE
S. 3839--A 3
RELATED TO HEALTH CARE OR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ONE SUCH APPOINTEE
SHALL BE FROM AN ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING EITHER A NURSE OR DIRECT CARE
WORKER; ONE MEMBER TO BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE,
WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN FIELDS OF DISCIPLINE RELATED TO HEALTH CARE
OR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY; AND ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER
OF THE ASSEMBLY, WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN FIELDS OF DISCIPLINE
RELATED TO HEALTH CARE OR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY.
2. TASK FORCE MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR
SERVICES, BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES
INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
3. THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE APPOINTED NO LATER THAN JULY FIRST, TWO
THOUSAND ELEVEN AND SHALL SERVE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS; ANY VACANCIES
ON THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE FILLED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR IN THE
INITIAL APPOINTMENT.
4. THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE THE COMMISSIONER OR HIS
OR HER DESIGNEE.
5. THE TASK FORCE SHALL MEET NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES A YEAR.
6. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, A MAJORITY OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE THEN IN OFFICE SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM FOR
THE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS OR THE EXERCISE OF POWER OR FUNCTION OF THE
TASK FORCE. AN ACT, DETERMINATION OR DECISION OF THE MAJORITY OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE HELD TO BE THE ACT, DETERMINATION OR
DECISION OF THE TASK FORCE.
7. THE TASK FORCE SHALL:
(A) PREPARE A POLICY STATEMENT REQUIRING A COMPREHENSIVE SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING PROGRAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT ALL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, AS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION TWENTY-NINE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-H
OF THIS TITLE. THE POLICY STATEMENT SHALL INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING AN EFFECTIVE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM
THAT SHALL INCLUDE ALL ELEMENTS SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION
TWENTY-NINE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-H OF THIS TITLE;
(B) REVIEW EXISTING SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAMS OR POLICIES,
INCLUDING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER SEVEN
HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND FIVE;
(C) CONSULT WITH ANY ORGANIZATION, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, OTHER
GOVERNMENT ENTITY OR AGENCY OR PERSON;
(D) CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS, AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY;
(E) IDENTIFY OR DEVELOP TRAINING MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES WITH REGARD
TO THE EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED BY THE STATEWIDE POLICY;
(F) REVIEW RULES AND REGULATIONS PRIOR TO ADOPTION BY THE DEPARTMENT;
(G) REVIEW AND UPDATE THE POLICY STATEMENT ON A BI-ANNUAL BASIS; AND
(H) SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE COMMISSIONER BY JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
TWELVE IDENTIFYING SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM ELEMENTS AND RECOMMEN-
DATIONS OF SAFE PATIENT LIFTING EQUIPMENT, TECHNIQUES OR DEVICES.
8. ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS, COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES
SHALL PROVIDE THE TASK FORCE WITH ANY REASONABLY REQUESTED ASSISTANCE OF
ADVICE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
S 2999-J. STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY. 1. THE COMMISSIONER,
IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TASK FORCE, SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGU-
LATIONS FOR A STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY FOR HEALTH CARE
FACILITIES COVERED BY THIS TITLE. SUCH POLICY SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO
ALL FACILITIES COVERED BY THIS TITLE ON OR BEFORE JANUARY FIRST, TWO
THOUSAND THIRTEEN.
2. THE STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY SHALL INCLUDE STANDARDS
WITH REGARD TO:
S. 3839--A 4
(A) THE EQUIPMENT, DEVICES OR TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED BY A NURSE OR
DIRECT CARE WORKER WHO IS ENGAGED IN PATIENT HANDLING;
(B) THE RATIO OF SUCH EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY BASED UPON THE TYPE OF
FACILITY, THE NUMBER OF BEDS IN A FACILITY, THE NUMBER OF PATIENT-HAN-
DLING TASKS, TYPES OF CARE UNITS, PATIENT POPULATIONS, AND PATIENT CARE
AREAS;
(C) THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF DEVICES TO ENSURE THAT CURRENT ASSESSED
HAZARDS ARE ELIMINATED OR MITIGATED;
(D) ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE SUBMISSION AND REPORTING OF
COMPLIANCE BY EACH HEALTH CARE FACILITY COVERED BY THIS TITLE; AND
(E) ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR COMPLAINTS OR VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING
THE FILING PROCESS, REVIEW, AND EVALUATION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION OF SUCH
COMPLAINTS.
3. EACH HEALTH CARE FACILITY SHALL FILE WITH THE DEPARTMENT BY JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN A DETAILED PLAN TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES
AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY. THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL ACCEPT SUCH PLAN BY JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN.
S 2999-K. HEALTH CARE FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEES. 1.
EACH HEALTH CARE FACILITY SHALL ESTABLISH A SAFE PATIENT HANDLING
COMMITTEE EITHER BY CREATING A NEW COMMITTEE OR ASSIGNING THE POWERS AND
DUTIES TO AN EXISTING COMMITTEE. AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF THE MEMBERS OF
THE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEE SHALL BE FRONTLINE NON-MANAGERIAL
NURSES OR DIRECT CARE WORKERS. AT LEAST ONE NON-MANAGERIAL NURSE AND ONE
NON-MANAGERIAL DIRECT CARE WORKER SHALL BE ON THE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING
COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE TWO CO-CHAIRS WITH ONE FROM MANAGE-
MENT AND ONE FRONTLINE NON-MANAGERIAL NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER.
2. THE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEE SHALL: (A) SET CRITERIA FOR
EVALUATION OF PATIENTS AND/OR RESIDENTS TO DETERMINE WHICH LIFT AND/OR
REPOSITIONING EQUIPMENT, DEVICES OR TECHNOLOGY ARE TO BE USED; AND FOR
PERFORMANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, JOB TASKS AND
PATIENT NEEDS;
(B) ENSURE LIFT AND/OR REPOSITIONING EQUIPMENT IS SET UP, USED AND
MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS;
(C) PROVIDE INITIAL AND ON-GOING YEARLY TRAINING AND EDUCATION ON SAFE
PATIENT HANDLING FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND NEW HIRES, AND ENSURE THAT
RETRAINING FOR THOSE FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT IS PROVIDED AS NEEDED WITHOUT
IMPACT TO THE EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF THE RETRAINED EMPLOYEES;
(D) SET UP AND UTILIZE A PROCESS FOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND POST-
INVESTIGATION REVIEW WHICH INCLUDES A PLAN OF CORRECTION AND IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF CONTROLS;
(E) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT OR PROCE-
DURES BEYOND THE MINIMUM STATE RECOMMENDATIONS; AND
(F) PERFORM, AT MINIMUM, AN ANNUAL PROGRAM ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION.
S 2999-L. ENFORCEMENT. 1. ANY NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER OR EMPLOYEE
REPRESENTATIVE WHO BELIEVES THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY HAS NOT MET THE
STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THIS TITLE SHALL BRING THE MATTER TO THE ATTEN-
TION OF THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN THE FORM OF A WRITTEN NOTICE AND
SHALL AFFORD THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO
CORRECT SUCH DEFICIENCIES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH NOTICE NEED NOT BE
PROVIDED WHERE THE NURSE OR DIRECT WORKER OR EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE
REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE TO MEET STANDARDS PRESENTS AN IMMI-
NENT THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF A SPECIFIC NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER, OR
TO THE GENERAL HEALTH OF A SPECIFIC PATIENT, AND REPORTING WILL NOT
RESULT IN CORRECTIVE ACTION.
2. IN THE EVENT THAT THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY RECEIVING NOTICE PURSU-
ANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION
S. 3839--A 5
WITHIN SIXTY DAYS, OR IN THE EVENT THAT NOTICE OF A FAILURE TO MEET
STANDARDS IS NOT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, A
NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO ENGAGE IN
PATIENT HANDLING UNTIL THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY HAS ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED
THE SPECIFIC FAILURE TO MEET STANDARDS. UPON REFUSAL, SUCH NURSE OR
DIRECT CARE WORKER OR HIS OR HER REPRESENTATIVE SHALL FILE A COMPLAINT
TO THE DEPARTMENT IN THE MANNER SET FORTH IN THE STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING POLICY.
3. NO EMPLOYER SHALL TAKE RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINST ANY NURSE OR
DIRECT CARE WORKER FOR RAISING CONCERNS OR ISSUES REGARDING SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING, FILING A COMPLAINT OR REFUSING TO ENGAGE IN PATIENT HANDLING.
4. NURSES AND DIRECT CARE WORKERS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWENTY-NINE
HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-H OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE CONSIDERED EMPLOYEES FOR
THE PURPOSES OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY-ONE OF THE LABOR LAW.
5. THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SHALL PUBLISH AND MAKE
PUBLIC WHICH HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATEWIDE
SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6510-f to
read as follows:
S 6510-F. STATE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY. 1. THE REFUSAL OF A
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE OR A REGISTERED NURSE TO ENGAGE IN PATIENT
HANDLING SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE PATIENT ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT IF SUCH
NURSE HAS, IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE-D OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH LAW AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO
SUCH ARTICLE, REFUSED A PATIENT HANDLING ASSIGNMENT AND FILED A
COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
2. THE REFUSAL OF A LICENSED OR UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE WORKER TO
ENGAGE IN PATIENT HANDLING NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING POLICY OR A FACILITY'S SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY SHALL NOT
BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT. THE REFUSAL OF A LICENSED OR
UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE WORKER TO ENGAGE IN PATIENT HANDLING SHALL NOT
CONSTITUTE PATIENT ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT IF SUCH WORKER HAS, IN A
MANNER CONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE-D OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW
AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO SUCH ARTICLE,
REFUSED A PATIENT HANDLING ASSIGNMENT AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.