SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5064

BYSenate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Saling and Kreidler)

Certifying radiological technologists.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1987; February 11, 1987; February 26, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5064 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Deccio, Johnson, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Jean Meyn (786-7472)

                  March 2, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5064 as recommended by Committee on Human Services & Corrections be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Fleming, Lee, McDonald, Rinehart, Saling, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Stephen Rose (786-7443)

                  March 16, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 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.

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 five members, is created to assist the Department of Licensing in the development of standards for approval of schools and training.

Appropriation:    $156,762 from health professions account to Department of Licensing (which is reimbursed by certification and licensing fees)

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS: Senator Saling; Ward Miles, State Health Coordinating Council; Barbara Trimble, Washington Association of Radiologic Technologists; Eileen Sullivan, Washington Association of Radiologic Technologists; Ed Larsen, State Medical Association; Mike Odlaug, DSHS Office of Radiation Protection; Jeff Larson, Washington Association of Radiologic Technologists; Rob Menaul, State Hospital Association

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one