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Proposal to license radiology assistants framed as workforce fix; committee hears supporters
Summary
Dr. Hawkins presented HB 571 to license radiology assistants, saying it would clarify education standards and help reduce patient wait times; President Pro Tem Tim Walker called it a career pathway for radiologic technologists. No final vote was taken on the bill.
Dr. Hawkins presented House Bill 571 to the Senate Rules Committee as a bill to license radiology assistants, saying the measure would delineate education requirements, expand the workforce and shorten patient wait times for results.
"This will license them to, delineate their education and add to the workforce," Dr. Hawkins said, describing the bill as a way to clear uncertainty that currently discourages some hospitals from hiring radiology assistants. He added that licensure could allow patients to get results and follow-up care more quickly.
President Pro Tem Tim Walker, while noting he is generally skeptical of new licensing requirements, said the bill "provides a career pathway for rad techs" and suggested it could help address workforce shortages by allowing radiologic technologists to pursue further training. Committee members responded with general support and questions about implementation; no final vote on HB 571 was recorded in the transcript.
The committee moved on to other agenda items and later agreed by voice to pick a package of bills for consideration; HB 571 was discussed but not listed among the five bills named in the committee's motion. The transcript records discussion and support for the concept but does not specify implementation details such as scope of practice, exact educational standards, or effective dates.
