Washington State Mandatory Overtime Bill Signed Into Law

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Washington State Mandatory Overtime Bill Signed Into Law

3/25/02

Washington State Gov. Gary Locke has signed into law SB 6675, a bill that will protect nurses from dismissal and discipline when refusing overtime work. Washington is the fourth state to pass legislation on mandatory overtime. To read more about the bill, visit WSNA's website at http://www.wsna.org/snas/wa/legal/leg1.htm

[Mijourney]

Hi Karen. Right now I can't get into your website link to read the information. I do wonder if there is any conflict with this new law and the nurse practice act for that state. The information regarding this bill on the website may answer that question once I'm able to get into it.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

RE-edited link---working 3/30/02 afternoon. Try again.

[mattsmom81]

Good for Washington! I hear Minnesota just passed a similar bill as well!

[Mijourney]

Hi Karen. I was able to get into the link. The part of the article that included nurses will have protection from being reported in their refusal to work OT answered by question. In other words, employers cannot run to the governor's office, the state board if a nurse has worked the mandatory regular hours and refuse to work beyond that. That's great!