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Committee advances bill to license radiologist assistants, allowing noninvasive work under general supervision
Summary
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted unanimously to pass a substitute to HB 571 that creates a licensure pathway for radiologist assistants, permits certain noninvasive procedures under general supervision and gives the Composite Board of Medicine oversight; implementation dates were moved to July 2026.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted unanimously to pass a substitute to House Bill 571 that would create a separate license for radiologist assistants (RAs) and authorize them to perform specified noninvasive procedures under general supervision.
Sponsor remarks and staff materials said the substitute adds a provision on page 5 (lines 107–111) allowing RAs to perform noninvasive tasks — for example, taking medical histories and obtaining informed consent — and places licensing and scope oversight with the Composite Board of Medicine. The sponsor argued the measure is intended to ease delays caused by a shortage of radiologists and to expand timely access to diagnostic studies.
Becky Riles, representing the Association of Radiologic Technologists, told the committee that RAs offer a career pathway for radiologic technologists and that "there are 32 states who license radiologist assistants." She said the bill’s on-or-after July 1, 2026 language would give the Composite Board flexibility to set application timelines for practitioners already working in the state.
Committee members asked whether the Board could restrict specific RA activities (the sponsor said yes), whether RAs would displace radiologic technologists (proponents said no), and whether hospitals in some areas currently use RAs (answers varied by facility). Members also pressed on reimbursement and billing; Riles said CMS recognizes radiologist assistants but that billing rules in practice are not yet fully aligned, so independent billing by RAs is not immediate.
Senator Albers offered a committee amendment changing statutory references from January to July (2026) to allow more time for applications and board action. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the do-pass motion for the substitute unanimously by voice/hand raise. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript.
The measure now moves to the Senate rules or the next floor scheduling step, and committee members signaled they expect to follow up on implementation timing with the Composite Board of Medicine.
