SURGICAL SMOKE LEGISLATION UPDATE

Hi Texas, Perioperative Registered Nurses!

Our Surgical Smoke Evacuation Bill, HB513, died on the House Floor Thursday evening when it failed to come up for House passage before the midnight bill crossover deadline. We were on page 21 of 30 pages, and the House only got through page 16 for votes taken. I want to thank all of you for your support, input and dedication throughout this legislative session. 

All is not lost because the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is still working on health care facility rules that include requirements for facilities to evacuate surgical smoke. TCORN and AORN are submitting letters in support of the draft rules and will continue to monitor the HHSC’s progress toward final adoption of the facility rules. 

We will still need to file this bill again in 2027. As we prepare for our next go around, stay abreast of innovative new ways we can approach the passing of our Surgical Smoke Evacuation Bill. The Texas Collaboration of periOperative Registered Nurses is leading this charge and will be doing our best to get a positive result.