ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 256

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 17, 2022

      The Assembly Labor Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 256 (1R) with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill requires certain health care facilities to adopt and implement policies to prevent exposure to surgical smoke via use of a smoke evacuation system.  The Commissioner of Health is to adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this bill.

      The bill defines "health care facility" to mean a health care facility licensed by the Department of Health pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.).  As mended, “health care facility” does not mean a long-term care facility, a provider of adult medical day care services, psychiatric hospital, or home health agency.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to exclude psychiatric hospitals and home health agencies from its provisions, and to add a definition of home health agency.