Cutrona's Bill Prohibiting Mandatory Nurse Overtime Passes Ohio House

State Rep. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) announces that House Bill 163 passed in the Ohio House earlier today. The bipartisan legislation prohibits mandatory overtime work for nurses as a condition of employment. Cutrona is a joint sponsor on the bipartisan bill and spoke to it on the House floor.

“Ohio nurses and other healthcare providers have supported us throughout the coronavirus pandemic,” said Cutrona. “It is our time to support nurses by enacting legislation that takes into account the regular practice of mandating overtime.”

Cutrona notes there have been several instances where nurses throughout the state are overworked and coerced into mandatory overtime to fill staffing gaps, which can lead to nurse fatigue and raises risks to the safety of patients.

Under the legislation, nurses can still voluntarily work overtime and hospitals can still offer overtime. Specifically, the bill prohibits a hospital from requiring a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to work in excess of agreed upon, predetermined, scheduled full-time or part-time workweek as a condition of continued employment. 

“This bill does not prohibit a nurse from working as much overtime as he or she feels they are capable of performing. However, it will allow nurses to refuse to work overtime without the threat of displaying a reaction or being fired,” Cutrona added.

Cutrona also mentioned the bill does allow hospital management to enact overtime for a variety of different emergency situations when necessary.

“It’s an honor to work on this legislation, which was introduced by my predecessor - the late Representative Don Manning,” Cutrona said. “With that in mind, I’m honored to have bipartisan support as it passed out of the House today 82-12 and finish the job in the Senate.”

To watch Cutrona’s House floor speech, please view it here.