SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 134

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Day, Lewis, Brooks, Bumgarner, Lux, P. King and Dellwo)

Certifying radiological technologists.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Jean Meyn (786-7472)

                  March 31, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Washington State does not certify operators of x-ray machines and other radiation generating machines.  Medical and dental uses of radiation account for 90 percent of exposure to manmade radiation.

In 1981 Congress adopted the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act, establishing federal requirements for the operation of radiation generating machines and suggesting that states adopt similar requirements.

State responsibility for monitoring and inspecting the radiation machines lies with the Office of Radiation Protection, Department of Social and Health Services.  Rules exist requiring operator competency but these rules are not being enforced.

Proponents of the bill believe that untrained and inadequately trained radiation machine operators are putting the public at risk to overexposure of radiation.  Certification would allow the public a way to identify radiologic technologists who have met state standards of education and training.

SUMMARY:

Voluntary certification for three categories of radiologic technologists in the healing arts is established.  All must operate under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.  The licensed practitioners included are physicians, osteopathic physicians, podiatrists and registered nurses.

Certification requirements are graduation from an approved school or training program and good moral character.  Those certified are subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

A state radiologic technology advisory board, consisting of seven members, is created to assist the Department of Licensing in the development of standards for approval of schools and training.  The board shall end on June 30, 1990.  Voluntary certification sections shall sunset on June 30, 1991.

Appropriation:    $131,106 from health professions account to Department of Licensing (which is reimbursed by certification and licensing fees)

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:October 1, 1987

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Radiologic technologists who work for podiatrists and chiropractors are expressly removed from the voluntary certification provisions of the bill.  The appropriation from the health professions account, supported by fees, is amended to match the fiscal note of $283,438.

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Bill Day; Barb Trimble, Washington Society of Radiologic Technologists; Bob Van Schoorl and Sid Beckett, Department of Licensing; Melanie Stewart-Gerle, Washington Podiatric Association