Utah Holds Hearing on Smoke Bill

On Wednesday, February 12, Utah SB 105 was heard in the Senate Business and Labor Committee. AORN and many perioperative nurses provided testimony in support of the bill and responded to a number of questions from committee members. The bill was not advanced by the committee and is not scheduled for further consideration during the 2020 legislative session. AORN expects SB 105 to receive further study during the Utah Legislature’s Interim Session which will be held the third Wednesday of every month from May to November of this year.

AORN will continue to work with the Utah Nurses Association and other stakeholders to provide Utah legislators the information they need to understand the health risks posed by surgical smoke and the immediate need to require use of smoke evacuation systems in Utah operating rooms.