In January, ASRT monitored about 400 state legislature bills that could affect radiologic technology practice areas. The Society also worked with state affiliate societies, allied health care organizations and volunteers on multiple advocacy initiatives.

Oklahoma

Senate Bill 1230 was introduced for consideration when the legislature convenes on Feb. 3. This bill would create a Radiologic Technologist Advisory Committee within the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. The committee will assist the board in establishing education and certification licensure standards for radiographers, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists and limited x-ray machine operators in the state. 

House Bill 3349, currently pending in the Oklahoma House, would require unlicensed health personnel, including radiologic technologists, to complete an approved phlebotomy certification training program and be certified as a phlebotomist before performing venipuncture on patients undergoing imaging procedures.

California

Senate Bill 480 has passed the Senate and is now under consideration in the California Assembly. This legislation would require the California Board of Medicine to create a Radiologist Assistant Advisory Committee to identify appropriate training, qualifications and scope of practice for radiologist assistants. The advisory committee will submit a report recommending potential statutory and regulatory changes to grant practice authority to radiologist assistants to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2022.

Missouri

The Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists is preparing for the annual Radiologic Technologists in Jefferson City advocacy event. The MoSRT asks R.T.s and students in the state to join them on Feb. 11, 2020 to meet with state lawmakers about the need for licensure standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

Florida

Bills introduced in the 2020 legislative session may have a strong impact on the radiologic technology profession in Florida. House Bill 651 and companion Senate Bill 204, Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act, potentially impacts the ability of R.T.s to perform venipuncture. House Bill 707, a review of occupational regulatory programs in the state, could result in the dissolution of the Florida radiologic technology licensure program.

To learn more about advocacy issues in your state, see the ASRT Advocacy Action Center.