SCS/SB 407 - This act establishes the Missouri Patient Safety in Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act. Beginning on October 1, 2018, the act requires certification by the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts in order to use radioactive substances or equipment emitting ionizing radiation or magnetic resonance for radiologic imaging or radiation therapy procedures on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The act authorizes the Board to establish certification and scope of practice standards for any person performing limited x-ray machine operation, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine advanced associate, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, radiography, and radiologist assistants.
On or after January 1, 2021, a person certified under this act who performs computed tomography must be certified in computed tomography by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board, or another certification organization recognized by the Board.
The act creates the Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Advisory Commission to assist and advise the Board in matters relating to radiologic imaging and radiation therapy. A person certified under this act can only perform radiologic imaging or radiation therapy procedures in the area of practice for which he or she is certified. The act sets out the specific application requirements for the different areas of practice.
The Board may issue temporary certificates to a person waiting on a certificate or certificate renewal, or when issuance is for the purpose of providing services to medically under served areas.
The Board may also accept out-of-state certificates if the Board deems that the other state's standards are substantially equivalent to those provided in the act and the rules adopted by the Board.
The Board has the power to: charge and collect fees, develop standards and adopt rules for the administration of radiologic imaging or radiation therapy procedures, revise certification requirements for remote areas of the state, wield disciplinary authority, and other actions as described in the act.
A person certified under the act must display the official certificate document or a verified copy in each place of regular employment.
A person who violates any provision of the act shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The Board may assess a civil penalty after factors set forth in the act are considered.
Someone currently engaged in the practice of radiologic imaging and radiation therapy may be exempted from the certification requirement, if he or she complies with specific requirements as described in the act.
This act is similar to HB 789 (2017), HB 601 (2017), SB 1114 (2016), and HB 2613 (2016).
JAMIE ANDREWS