What does Preamble of S 3886 do?

This bill aims to establish total nurse staffing hours per resident day. It also seeks to require 24-hour use of registered professional nurses in nursing homes. The bill is intended for 'other purposes' not explicitly detailed in this section.

What does SHORT TITLE. of S 3886 do?

This bill is formally titled the Nurses Belong in Nursing Homes Act.

What does NURSE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS. of S 3886 do?

This section amends sections 1819(b)(4) and 1919(b)(4) of the Social Security Act to establish minimum staffing requirements for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities under Medicare and Medicaid. Facilities must provide 24-hour licensed nursing services and a minimum staffing requirement of at least 3.48 hours per resident day, provided that number is not less than 3.48 hours. Registered professional nurse services must be provided for at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week, and 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, starting on a date 180 days after the Act's enactment. The Secretary is directed to conduct a study, at least every four years, analyzing nurse staffing requirements in skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities. The study must consider resident acuity and potential increases to minimum staffing requirements, and review staffing, safety, and quality data. Within one year of the Secretary submitting a report, the Secretary must specify regulations establishing minimum staffing requirements for nursing staff and require facilities to comply. The Secretary is authorized to transfer $50,000,000 from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account for carrying out this section in fiscal year 2027.

What does PERMANENT FUNDING FOR THE SURVEY AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR of S 3886 do?

This section amends Part A of Title XI of the Social Security Act. It establishes a new section, 1150D, concerning funding for the Survey and Certification Program. The Secretary is appropriated $800,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years. Funding will be drawn from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. The Secretary determines the proportions from each trust fund. The appropriated funds are intended for conducting the Secretary's Survey and Certification Program, including under section 1864. The funds remain available until expended.

What does INVESTING IN THE NURSING HOME WORKFORCE. of S 3886 do?

This section amends sections 1819(h) and 1919(h) of the Social Security Act regarding the use of civil money penalty amounts. States are required to use at least half of these amounts to support the nursing home workforce. Permissible uses include grants for recruitment, education, and training programs, funding career pathway programs, and repaying student loans for qualified providers. Funds cannot be provided to entities with related party relationships to nursing facilities. States are prohibited from using funds to reimburse costs associated with nurse aide training programs or to supplant existing payments for those programs. Qualified nursing facility providers include physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants. States must submit annual reports to the Secretary detailing how funds were allocated and their impact on workforce development and resident outcomes. The Secretary must then submit a report to Congress summarizing the information from the state reports.

What does CODIFICATION OF REGULATIONS REGARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR LONG- of S 3886 do?

This section codifies specific regulations into law. Sections 438.72 and 442.43 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as they existed on May 10, 2024, are given the force of law.

Back to bills

Nurses Belong in Nursing Homes Act — S. 3886

Last updated: 2/12/2026 · Introduced: 2/12/2026

Author: Ron Wyden (D-OR)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes minimum nurse staffing requirements for Medicare and Medicaid-funded skilled nursing facilities, mandating at least 3.48 hours of licensed nursing care per resident day and registered nurse coverage for at least 8 consecutive hours daily.
The bill provides $800 million annually, beginning in fiscal year 2027, to support the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Survey and Certification Program.
States must allocate at least half of civil money penalty amounts to support the nursing home workforce through recruitment, education, training, and student loan repayment programs.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 4 more.

6 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account