Relating to the adoption and implementation of a surgical smoke evacuation system policy at certain health care facilities.

SB 490 requires Texas hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt and implement a policy using surgical smoke evacuation systems during surgical procedures likely to generate surgical smoke. The bill defines "surgical smoke" as the gaseous by-product from energy-generating surgical devices and mandates facilities to use systems that capture and filter this smoke before it contacts patients or healthcare providers. This policy must be fully implemented by January 1, 2026, affecting all covered facilities statewide. The law aims to reduce exposure to potentially harmful surgical smoke during procedures, directly impacting healthcare workers and patients in operating rooms.