summary
Introduced
01/16/2025
01/16/2025
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Requires any hospital licensed by the Department of Health that has an operating room to adopt and implement policies to prevent exposure to surgical smoke. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
AI Summary
This bill requires any hospital in Hawaii that is licensed by the Department of Health and has an operating room to establish and follow procedures to reduce exposure to surgical smoke, which is the vapor created during surgery from tools like lasers or electrosurgical devices that can contain harmful chemicals. These policies must be in place by July 1, 2027, and involve using a "smoke evacuation system," defined as equipment designed to capture and remove surgical smoke at its source, preventing it from reaching people's eyes or lungs. The Department of Health will check for compliance during inspections and when responding to complaints, and this requirement is intended to protect healthcare professionals, patients, and staff from potential health issues associated with inhaling surgical smoke, a problem that has led other states to enact similar laws.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (8)
Rachele Fernandez Lamosao (D)*,
Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D)*,
Darius Kila (D)*,
Lisa Marten (D)*,
Amy Perruso (D)*,
Gregg Takayama (D)*,
Adrian Tam (D)*,
Chris Todd (D)*,
Last Action
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Woodson excused (1). (on 02/05/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=218&year=2026 |
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=218&year=2025 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB218_HD1_.HTM |
| Committee Report HB218_HD1_HSCR31-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/HB218_HD1_HSCR31-26_.pdf |
| HB218_TESTIMONY_HLT_01-30-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/HB218_TESTIMONY_HLT_01-30-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB218_.HTM |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB218_.HTM |
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