In February, ASRT monitored close to 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.
Alabama
The Alabama Society of Radiologic Technologists is pushing for enactment of Senate Bill 171, introduced on Feb. 11, 2020, by Sen. William Beasley and referred to the Senate Committee on Healthcare. SB 171 would establish licensing and regulatory standards through the Office of Radiation Control for health care personnel performing radiologic imaging or radiation therapy for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Alabama is one of three states with no minimum education requirements for personnel who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. Currently, individuals in Alabama who perform radiologic procedures are not required to take a single course in medical radiation, patient positioning or basic radiologic science physics.
California
The California Senate is considering a bill that would license and create a scope of practice for radiologist assistants. 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 bill is supported by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, California Society of Radiologic Technologists, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Society of Radiology Physician Extenders.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists will mobilize R.T.s in the state for a day at the capitol March 5, 2020. The group does not have a legislative bill in progress but will use its time with legislators to increase awareness of the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in health care. Connecticut R.T.s register here.
Missouri
The Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists conducted its annual Radiologic Technologists in Jefferson City advocacy event at the state capitol on Feb. 11. During the event, a placeholder bill was introduced, securing a spot in the legislative process for consideration of licensure legislation in 2020. House Bill 2431 was introduced by Rep. Kathy Swan.
Oklahoma
On Feb. 3, Sen. Rod Standridge introduced a measure that could lead to education and certification licensure standards in the state of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1230 would create a Radiologic Technologist Advisory Committee within the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. The committee will assist the board in establishing professional standards for radiographers, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists and limited x-ray machine operators in the state. The bill was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.
West Virginia
A bill that would have dissolved the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners and repeal licensure for medical imaging technologists and radiation therapists has been halted by the advocacy efforts of ASRT and the West Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists.
A campaign to alert the state’s medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals using emails generated by the ASRT Advocacy Action Center worked to spread the news and mobilize the opposition of hundreds of R.T.s in West Virginia.
To learn more about advocacy issues in your state, see the ASRT Advocacy Action Center