States Begin to Introduce Bills for 2026

As state legislatures kick off the 2026 session, several healthcare and radiology-related proposals are on the table. While some measures from 2025 remain active in states that allow carryover, many will need to be reintroduced. Here is what’s new:

AI Governance

New Hampshire House Bill (HB) 1725 would establish a broad state framework to regulate AI technologies used or offered in New Hampshire. The proposal would apply to entities that develop or deploy AI systems affecting state residents and would create a New Hampshire Artificial Intelligence Council intended to oversee ethical development and deployment, with annual reporting to the governor and legislature. While the bill is not limited to healthcare, statewide “AI governance” bills can influence how clinical AI tools are evaluated, documented, and operationalized in health systems — especially where state requirements intersect with existing federal oversight and hospital compliance programs. A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15.

Radiation Therapy in Rural Areas

Arizona HB 2049 addresses radiation therapy operations in rural counties, focusing on the use of particle accelerators at facilities such as critical access hospitals. The bill would allow operation under general supervision (with conditions), require written protocols for radiation application with annual review, and require availability for consultation on-site at least once every five working days along with policies to monitor technologist performance and quality of patient care.

Imaging Workforce Standards

Arizona HB 2050 would make changes affecting the practice of radiologic technologists and radiologist assistants. The bill would: (1) establish criteria for approval of radiologic technology schools (including minimum program length and accreditation); (2) detail examination/certification processes and remediation after repeated failures; (3) add continuing education requirements on a two-year cycle; (4) define the scope of practice for radiologist assistants under supervision; and (5) establish certification requirements for mammography and CT technologists, including training standards and fees.

Radiation Dose Rules

Washington HB 2241 would set new radiation dose standards for body scanners in correctional facilities. It aims to balance safety with effective contraband screening by revising dose thresholds and limiting exposure outside screening zones.

Resources for State Chapters

ACR^® state affairs staff are available to assist state societies with analyzing legislation and shaping effective engagement strategies. One resource to use for scope of practice is a study that was recently published in Family Practice by Drs. Rebekah Bernard, Phillip Shaffer, Sharon L. D’Souza, Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, and Carmen Kavali. The study, Autonomous nurse practitioners in Florida frequently practice outside their legal scope of primary care: a cross-sectional study (subscription), examines practice patterns of Florida “autonomous” nurse practitioners authorized under a 2020 law to practice independently only in primary care after meeting specific experience requirements. Using a randomized sample drawn from Florida Department of Health data, the authors found that more than half of autonomous NPs they reached were practicing in non–primary care settings. Those settings included cosmetic and non-standard practices (e.g., anti-aging/IV hydration), psychiatry/addiction medicine, emergency/urgent care, inpatient medicine and cardiology.

ACR also has several state resources available, including an interactive bill tracker. For more information, contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Relations Director.