SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45
(By Senators Hunter, Jenkins, Rowe, Weeks, Dempsey and Unger)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct an
interim study on providing for certain requirements for
overtime policies for health care workers in state hospitals.
Whereas,
It is essential that health care workers, especially
nurses, employed in state hospitals providing direct patient care
be available to meet the needs of patients; and
Whereas, Quality patient care is jeopardized by health care
workers who may work unnecessarily long hours in hospitals; and
Whereas, Health care workers in state hospitals, especially
nurses, are leaving their professions because of workplace
stresses, long work hours and deprecation of their essential role
in the delivery of quality, direct patient care; and
Whereas,
It is necessary to safeguard the efficiency, health
and general well-being of health care workers in state hospitals,
as well as the health and general well-being of the persons who use
their services, by requiring state hospitals to establish overtime
policies for certain classifications of health care workers; and
Whereas, It is further necessary that health care workers be
aware of their rights and duties with regard to hospital overtime
policies in state hospitals; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to conduct an interim study on providing for certain
requirements for overtime policies for health care workers in state
hospitals; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance consult with health care workers employed in state
hospitals, including, but not limited to, registered professional
nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nurse assistants,
representatives of health care facilities and representatives from
the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Commissioner
of the Division of Labor; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.