Bill No.: SF0051 Drafter: JWL

LSO No.: 06LSO-0263 Effective Date: 7/1/2006

Enrolled Act No.: SEA0053

Chapter No.: 119

Prime Sponsor: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee

Catch Title: Hospital improvement grants.

Subject: Establishes grant program for hospital improvement.

Summary/Major Elements: This act:

· Directs the Department of Health to establish a program to award grants of up to $250,000 for three hospitals to assist in certification as 'magnet hospitals' by the American Nurses Credentialing Center;

· Provides criteria for initial and continuing eligibility;

· Directs the Department of Health to establish a program to award grants to small hospitals for the promotion of quality nursing practices, quality nursing working conditions, staff retention and improved patient outcomes.

· Authorizes the Department to expend up to $100,000 for technical assistance to hospitals receiving the grants.

· Appropriates $850,000 from the budget reserve account for magnet hospital grants, $200,000 from the budget reserve account for small hospital grants and $16,000 from the budget reserve account for administration.