California Implements New Nurse Staffing Ratios & Penalties For Acute Care Psychiatric Hospitals
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) implemented new nurse staffing ratios for acute care psychiatric hospitals on June 1, 2026, and new penalties for violations. The new ratios and penalties are due to California Senate Bill (SB) 596, which increased the dollar amount for penalties by treating each day of non-compliance as a separate violation.
Staffing ratios for acute care psychiatric hospitals have been in effect since 1999, when the legislature passed Assembly Bill 394. However, there were previously no staffing ratios for specifically for nurses and the requirements could be met by other workers, such as behavioral . . .
