South Carolina General Assembly Advances Surgical Smoke Bill

For the first time, the South Carolina General Assembly considered surgical smoke evacuation legislation in the first year of its two-year, 2025-2026, legislative session. S. 170, introduced by Sen. Greg Hembree in January, made great progress this year before the General Assembly adjourned.

The bill moved quickly through the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs and passed the full Senate unanimously by a vote of 41-0 after AORN worked with the South Carolina Hospital Association to address their concerns and make minor language changes, including giving smaller facilities in rural areas an additional six months to comply with the requirements of the legislation.

After Senate passage in March, S. 170 was introduced in the House and referred to the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. AORN expects the bill to be heard by the committee in January 2026 when the General Assembly reconvenes.

“We had great grassroots advocacy leadership and support in South Carolina,” said Jennifer Pennock, AORN associate director of government affairs. “Our advocates will be critical to S. 170’s success in 2026.”