Massachusetts 194th General Court Status: Introduced 1 D cosponsors

S1482 — An Act protecting patients and health care workers from exposure to surgical smoke

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

An Act protecting patients and health care workers from exposure to surgical smoke

Bill Text

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How this bill changes current law

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This bill adds new regulations regarding the management of surgical smoke in hospitals and surgical facilities.

  • Chapter 111, Section 245

    Section 245. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:- “Smoke evacuation system”, smoke evacuators, laser plume evacuators, or local exhaust ventilators that effectively capture and neutralize surgical smoke at the site of origin and before the smoke can make ocular contact or contact with the respiratory tract of the occupants of the room. “Surgical smoke”, the by-product, including surgical plume, smoke plume, bio-aerosols, laser-generated airborne contaminants, and other lung-damaging dust, that results from contact with tissue by an energy generating device. (b) All hospitals and freestanding ambulatory surgical facilities licensed in the commonwealth under this chapter shall adopt policies to ensure the elimination of surgical smoke by use of a smoke evacuation system for any procedure that generates surgical smoke from the use of energy-based devices including, but not limited to, electrosurgery and lasers. (c) Any hospital or freestanding ambulatory surgical facility that violates subsection (b) shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 for each violation.

    This establishes definitions and requirements for using smoke evacuation systems in surgical procedures, as well as penalties for non-compliance.

  • Chapter 111, Section 245

    (a) Section 245 of chapter 111 of the General Laws shall take effect as of January 1, 2026.

    This specifies the effective date for the new section regarding smoke evacuation.

  • Chapter 111, Section 245

    (b) Every hospital and freestanding ambulatory surgical center shall report to the department of public health by April 1, 2026 regarding the policies they have adopted to comply with said section 245 of said chapter 111.

    This mandates reporting requirements for facilities concerning their compliance with the smoke evacuation policies.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 203 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (203)

203 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does S1482 do?
An Act protecting patients and health care workers from exposure to surgical smoke
Who sponsors S1482?
S1482 is sponsored by Joanne M. Comerford (Democrat).
What is the current status of S1482?
This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S1482?
Track S1482 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 4 months ago · updated continuously

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