(Albany, NY) State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) met with over 25 members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) to discuss two bills affecting healthcare, both of which the lawmaker supports.

The Safe Patient Handling Act (S.1123) would establish a statewide safe patient handling policy for health care facilities in the state, and creates the New York State safe patient handling work group.

The Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act (S.3691) would set minimum staffing requirements for acute care facilities and nursing homes and call on them to implement a certain patient-to-nurse ratio. It also requires such places to submit a documented staffing plan annually and upon application for an operating certificate.

“Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare system, caring for residents when they are vulnerable and in need of medical assistance,” Smith said. “I support the Safe Patient Handling Act and the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act, because these two pieces of legislation will not only make nurses’ jobs a little easier, but will improve the quality of care for patients.”