SCS/SB 861 - This act requires noninvasive vascular laboratories to be certified by either the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) or the American College of Radiology (ACR) by October 1, 2011. The act defines the specific type of entity that falls under the requirements of the act. Entities that provide therapeutic ultrasound or obstetric sonography, echocardiography, or other musculoskeletal, abdominal, or soft tissue ultrasound studies not directly involving the vascular system do not fall under the provisions of this act. If a noninvasive vascular laboratory does not provide documentation confirming its accreditation with ICAVL or ACR by January 1, 2012 to the Department of Health and Senior Services, the act prohibits the lab from billing, charging or receiving compensation for any services. This prohibition also results if the lab loses its accreditation with ICAVL or ACR. The act also provides the Department of Health and Senior Services with rulemaking authority to implement the accreditation requirement. This act is substantially similar to HB 1887 (2010). ADRIANE CROUSE