Publish Date: June 20, 2022

NJ Assembly Hearing: Felix Rivera, Donna Policastro, Magdalena Sayed, and Gregg Puluka in the New Jersey State Capitol on June 2, 2022 after testifying in support of A256 before the Assembly Committee on Health.

Surgical smoke evacuation legislation is moving through the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate this year. Asw. Nancy Muñoz’s legislation, A256, which is co-sponsored by Assemblymen Benson and Conaway, was heard in the Assembly Committee on Health on Thursday, June 2, where it received unanimous support. On Monday, June 6, S732, sponsored by Sen. Fred Madden and co-sponsored by Sen. Cruz-Perez, was voted out of the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens by unanimous vote.

NJ Senate Hearing Support: AORN members Marie Costa, Felix Rivera, and Suzanna Jalali outside the Senate Health Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee room on June 6, 2022.

AORN members Felix Rivera, Gregg Puluka, Magdalena Sayed, Marie Costa, Suzanne Jalali, consultant Donna Policastro and Dr. Mary Ann Donohue Ryan, New Jersey Organization of Nurse Leaders, attended and testified in support of the bills over the course of the two hearings. The legislation also has support from a number of New Jersey organizations, including the New Jersey State Nurses Association, New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants, and the state organizations for both the nurse anesthetists and the anesthesiologists.

The General Assembly and Senate will recess July 1 and reconvene later this year in the Fall. AORN expects the smoke bills to move at that time. In the interim, AORN and New Jersey advocates will work to add more co-sponsors to both bills.