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HF 77

A bill for an act relating to practice requirements for surgical technologists.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Megan Jones

Bill HF 77 mandates surgical technologists meet educational and certification standards, ensuring quality care in surgical settings and enhancing patient safety.

Introduced, referred to Health and Human Services.
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Bill Summary · HF 77

Summary of Bill HF 77: Practice Requirements for Surgical Technologists

Purpose and Intent

Bill HF 77 aims to establish clear practice requirements for surgical technologists in health care facilities. The legislation seeks to ensure that individuals practicing surgical technology meet specific educational and certification standards, thereby enhancing the quality of care provided in surgical settings.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several important provisions:

  1. Definitions:

    • Health Care Facility: The bill defines what constitutes a health care facility.
    • Surgical Technology: It also provides a definition for surgical technology.

  2. Practice Restrictions:

    • No individual may practice surgical technology in a health care facility unless they meet one of the following criteria:
      • Successfully completed a nationally or regionally accredited surgical technology program.
      • Hold and maintain certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or another recognized credentialing organization.
      • Completed a surgical technology training program in the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) or the Public Health Service.
      • Provide evidence of prior employment practicing surgical technology in a health care facility in the state before July 1, 2025.
      • Be in federal service where surgical technology duties are required.

  3. Continuing Education Requirements:

    • Starting July 1, 2026, individuals qualified to practice surgical technology must complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) annually.
    • The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing is tasked with adopting rules related to CE for surgical technologists.

  4. Verification of Compliance:

    • Health care facilities employing surgical technologists must verify that their employees comply with the practice and continuing education requirements outlined in the bill.

  5. Exemptions:

    • The bill clarifies that individuals licensed under specific chapters (medicine, surgery, nursing, dentistry, optometry) may practice surgical technology within the scope of their licenses without being subject to the new requirements.

Impact

This legislation will primarily affect:
- Surgical Technologists: They will need to meet new educational and certification standards to practice legally.
- Health Care Facilities: Facilities will be required to ensure compliance with the new regulations, which may involve additional administrative responsibilities.
- Patients: The intent is to enhance patient safety and care quality in surgical environments by ensuring that surgical technologists are properly trained and certified.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: January 16, 2025
  • Current Status: The bill has been referred to the Health and Human Services committee for further consideration.

This summary provides an overview of HF 77, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on surgical technologists and health care facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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