Us Code § 7459 - Nursing staff: special rules for overtime duty

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 7459 — Nursing staff: special rules for overtime duty, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 7459. Nursing staff: special rules for overtime duty

(a) Limitation.—Except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary may not require nursing staff to work more than 40 hours (or 24 hours if such staff is covered under section 7456 of this title) in an administrative work week or more than eight consecutive hours (or 12 hours if such staff is covered under section 7456 or 7456A of this title).

(b) Voluntary Overtime.—(1) Nursing staff may on a voluntary basis elect to work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection (a).

(2) The refusal of nursing staff to work hours prohibited by subsection (a) shall not be grounds—

(A) to discriminate (within the meaning of section 704(a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–3(a))) against the staff;

(B) to dismiss or discharge the staff; or

(C) for any other adverse personnel action against the staff.


(c) Overtime Under Emergency Circumstances.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may require nursing staff to work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection (a) if—

(A) the work is a consequence of an emergency that could not have been reasonably anticipated;

(B) the emergency is non-recurring and is not caused by or aggravated by the inattention of the Secretary or lack of reasonable contingency planning by the Secretary;

(C) the Secretary has exhausted all good faith, reasonable attempts to obtain voluntary workers;

(D) the nurse staff have critical skills and expertise that are required for the work; and

(E) the work involves work for which the standard of care for a patient assignment requires continuity of care through completion of a case, treatment, or procedure.


(2) Nursing staff may not be required to work hours under this subsection after the requirement for a direct role by the staff in responding to medical needs resulting from the emergency ends.

(d) Nursing Staff Defined.—In this section, the term "nursing staff" includes the following:

(1) A registered nurse.

(2) A licensed practical or vocational nurse.

(3) A nurse assistant appointed under this chapter or title 5.

(4) Any other nurse position designated by the Secretary for purposes of this section.

(Added Pub. L. 111–163, title VI, §602(a)(1), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1172.)

SUBCHAPTER V—DISCIPLINARY AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

About This Section

38 U.S.C. § 7459 is part of Title 38 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 38 U.S.C. § 7459. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 7459

What does United States Code § 7459 cover?

Section 7459 ("Nursing staff: special rules for overtime duty") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 7459?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 7459" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 7459 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.