HB 218 Summary

• Requires all hospitals with operating rooms licensed by the Department of Health to adopt and implement policies preventing exposure to surgical smoke by July 1, 2026.

• Mandates use of smoke evacuation systems for each surgical procedure that generates surgical smoke, designed to capture, filter, and remove smoke at the source.

• Defines "smoke evacuation system" as equipment designed to capture, filter, and remove surgical smoke to prevent contact with eyes or respiratory tracts.

• Defines "surgical smoke" as the surgical plume generated from energy-generating surgical devices, including smoke plumes, bio-aerosols, and lung-damaging dust.

• Authorizes the Department of Health to ensure compliance through onsite inspections and investigation of complaints related to violations.