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Patient Safety and Whistleblower Protections Act

USA119th CongressS-4086| Senate 
| Updated: 3/12/2026
Christopher Murphy

Christopher Murphy

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to safeguard health care practitioners who raise concerns about patient safety and the quality of health care services. It broadly defines "patient safety concerns" to include issues related to staffing practices, equipment sufficiency, and the appropriateness of services. The bill explicitly prohibits retaliation by health care facilities against practitioners for communicating these concerns to various entities, including supervisors, state authorities, government officials, and, under certain conditions, the news media. The act establishes a rebuttable presumption that any adverse action taken against a practitioner within 180 days of reporting a concern is retaliatory. It also mandates that any contractual provision prohibiting a practitioner from truthfully speaking about health care quality is null and void, and it releases practitioners from non-competition agreements if they report concerns. For enforcement, the bill authorizes both individual and class action lawsuits, allowing for recovery of actual damages, attorney's fees, and significant punitive damages. Before filing a lawsuit, practitioners must first file complaints with relevant State authorities and, for hospitals, the Joint Commission. Additionally, the bill amends the Social Security Act to require health care providers participating in Medicare to establish mechanisms for anonymous reporting and investigation of patient safety concerns.
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Timeline
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 12, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Apr 15, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8310
Introduced in House
  • March 12, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 12, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • April 15, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8310
    Introduced in House

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-8310: Patient Safety and Whistleblower Protections Act

Patient Safety and Whistleblower Protections Act

USA119th CongressS-4086| Senate 
| Updated: 3/12/2026
This legislation aims to safeguard health care practitioners who raise concerns about patient safety and the quality of health care services. It broadly defines "patient safety concerns" to include issues related to staffing practices, equipment sufficiency, and the appropriateness of services. The bill explicitly prohibits retaliation by health care facilities against practitioners for communicating these concerns to various entities, including supervisors, state authorities, government officials, and, under certain conditions, the news media. The act establishes a rebuttable presumption that any adverse action taken against a practitioner within 180 days of reporting a concern is retaliatory. It also mandates that any contractual provision prohibiting a practitioner from truthfully speaking about health care quality is null and void, and it releases practitioners from non-competition agreements if they report concerns. For enforcement, the bill authorizes both individual and class action lawsuits, allowing for recovery of actual damages, attorney's fees, and significant punitive damages. Before filing a lawsuit, practitioners must first file complaints with relevant State authorities and, for hospitals, the Joint Commission. Additionally, the bill amends the Social Security Act to require health care providers participating in Medicare to establish mechanisms for anonymous reporting and investigation of patient safety concerns.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 12, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Apr 15, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8310
Introduced in House
  • March 12, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 12, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • April 15, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8310
    Introduced in House
Christopher Murphy

Christopher Murphy

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-8310: Patient Safety and Whistleblower Protections Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted