summary
Introduced
01/20/2026
01/20/2026
In Committee
01/20/2026
01/20/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Operating Room Patient Safety Act. Provides that each surgical technologist hired or contracted by a health care facility on or after January 1, 2028 shall meet specified educational, certification, or experiential requirements. Provides that health care facilities located in a Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Area, as determined by the federal government, shall be exempt as provided but shall have a hiring preference for surgical technologists who graduated from nationally accredited surgical technology programs and are certified through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the National Center for Competency Testing. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a person licensed in the State under any other Act from engaging in the practice for which the person is licensed, including, but not limited to, a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a nurse performing surgery-related tasks within the scope of the nurse's license or registration; or a student or intern from performing surgical technology services under direct supervision, as defined in the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the Operating Room Patient Safety Act, establishes new requirements for surgical technologists, who are individuals hired or contracted by healthcare facilities to prepare operating rooms, maintain sterile fields, and assist surgical teams by providing instruments and supplies. Starting January 1, 2028, these surgical technologists must meet specific qualifications, such as graduating from a nationally accredited program and becoming certified by organizations like the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the National Center for Competency Testing, or have equivalent military training or prior experience. Healthcare facilities in areas designated by the federal government as having a shortage of health professionals or being medically underserved are exempt from these requirements but must prioritize hiring certified surgical technologists. The bill also clarifies that it does not prevent licensed medical professionals, such as physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice registered nurses, from performing their duties, nor does it prohibit students or interns from assisting under direct supervision.
Sponsors (11)
Barbara Hernandez (D)*,
Dee Avelar (D),
Michael Crawford (D),
Mary Gill (D),
Maura Hirschauer (D),
Stephanie Kifowit (D),
Theresa Mah (D),
Michelle Mussman (D),
Rick Ryan (D),
Katie Stuart (D),
Janet Yang Rohr (D),
Last Action
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman (on 02/18/2026)
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