WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 4779

Health facilities: other; surgical smoke plume evacuation plan; require. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 20187.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pauline Wendzel

Health facilities must develop and implement a policy requiring use of surgical smoke plume evacuation systems during procedures using heat-producing equipment.

bill ordered enrolled
#healthfacilities:other
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4779

Summary: Michigan House Bill 4779 (HB 4779)

Overview

HB 4779 proposes to add a new section (Sec. 20187) to the Public Health Code (1978 PA 368) requiring health facilities or agencies that perform surgical procedures using heat-producing equipment likely to generate surgical smoke plume to establish and implement a policy mandating the use of a surgical smoke plume evacuation system during those procedures.

  • Introduced: March 13, 2025
  • Latest status: Referred to the Committee on Health Policy and electronically reproduced on August 20, 2025
  • Primary sponsor: Rep. Pauline Wendzel

Key Provisions

  • Sec. 20187(1): Duty to develop and implement policy

    • A health facility or agency that provides a surgical procedure using heat-producing equipment (the type likely to generate surgical smoke plume) must develop and implement a policy requiring the use of a surgical smoke plume evacuation system during the applicable procedure.

  • Sec. 20187(2): Definitions

    • “Surgical procedure using heat-producing equipment” includes:
    • Procedures using electric current to cut, remove, or destroy tissue and control bleeding (e.g., electrosurgery).
    • Procedures using a laser.
    • Any other procedure that uses heat-generating surgical instruments.
    • “Surgical smoke plume” means the vapor, gas, or harmful particle produced as a byproduct of such procedures.
    • “Surgical smoke plume evacuation system” means a dedicated device designed to capture, transport, filter, and neutralize the plume at the site of origin and before it can contact the eyes or respiratory tract of an individual.

Scope and Impact

  • Who is affected:

    • Health facilities or agencies that perform surgical procedures with heat-producing equipment capable of generating surgical smoke plume.
    • Indirectly, OR staff, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and others present during such procedures who would benefit from exposure reduction.

  • What changes would occur:

    • Facilities would need to create formal policies mandating the use of a plume evacuation system for qualifying procedures.
    • Implementation would require procurement or deployment of dedicated plume evacuation devices, along with staff training and adherence monitoring (policy development and compliance steps implied by the requirement).

  • Potential benefits:

    • Improved occupational health and safety by reducing exposure to surgical smoke plume for staff and patients.
    • Standardization of safety practices across facilities performing relevant procedures.

  • Potential considerations:

    • Cost implications for facilities to acquire evacuation systems and train staff.
    • Need for guidance on when exactly the policy must be in place (timelines and enforcement details are not specified in the text provided).
    • Variation in adoption across different types of health facilities (hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, etc.).

Timeline and Procedural Context

  • Legislative history (as of available text):
    • Filed: March 13, 2025
    • Read first time: April 3, 2025
    • Referred to targeted committee and, subsequently, placed in the Health Policy committee
    • Introduced and read a first time: August 20, 2025
  • Status: awaiting committee action and potential further floor action; no enacted text or effective date released in the provided materials.

Notes

  • The bill amends the Public Health Code by adding a new Sec. 20187; no funding mechanism or enforcement penalties are detailed in the available text.
  • Readers should monitor for committee reports, potential amendments, and any language clarifications on implementation timelines, exemptions, or enforcement.

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

Sign in to ask a question.