Media Advisory For:  April 10, 2019

CONTACT: Terry Carter, (805) 312-0024

WHAT: At their press conference, RNs will express their strong support of SB 227 (Leyva) prior to the bill’s hearing later that day in the Senate Health Committee.

WHY: Senator Leyva introduced SB 227 in February in response to nurses calling for an end to California hospitals’ unsafe staffing practices. California leads the nation in regulations that establish safe nurse-to-patient ratios. The problem is that these regulations have gone two decades without any enforcement mechanism to curb repeat offenders. SB 227 will mandate unannounced inspections of hospitals with a special focus on adherence to California’s nurse-to-patient ratios as regulated by Title 22. This bill will also levy penalties on hospitals that continue to flout these regulations.

WHO: SEIU registered nurses; Senator Leyva; Assemblymembers Santiago, Rodriguez, Bonta and Smith; California Department of Public Health hospital inspector

WHERE: Capitol, Room 317

WHEN: Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 10:00 am

VISUALS: nurses in scrubs, signage

Service Employees International Union, Local 121RN represents more than 9,000 registered nurses and other healthcare professionals at 27 hospitals and facilities in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. This member-led organization is committed to supporting optimum working conditions that allow nurses to provide quality patient care and safety.