States Continue to Introduce Scope of Practice Bills

While a few state legislatures have adjourned for the year, there are still many who continue to introduce and debate legislation ranging from right to repair to scope of practice.

Right to Repair

North Carolina

House Bill (HB) 752 would require that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of medical imaging equipment or medical radiation therapy make available to any hospital or independent repair provider any support documentation, parts or tools necessary to perform diagnostic, maintenance or repair services of the OEM’s medical imaging or radiation therapy equipment. This bill, among other things, would require an OEM to automatically send notices of the updated information to all known equipment owners and independent repair providers, and to provide access to tools without requiring authorization, registration or other impediment to access.

Scope of Practice

Alaska

Senate Bill (SB) 130 would enjoin the state of Alaska into the Nurse Licensure Compact. This compact allows nurses to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in the home state and other compact states.

North Carolina

HB 218 and SB 175 would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) to order, perform, supervise and interpret diagnostic studies.

Michigan

HB 4472 states that a physician shall manage and lead the members of the physician-led patient care team and that any act, task or function performed by members of the physician-led patient care team is performed in a manner consistent with sound medical practice. This bill would also require the following regarding any practice agreements entered on or after Jan. 1, 2024:

• A set process between a physician’s assistant (PA) and a participating physician for communication, availability and decision making when providing medical treatment to a patient.
• A protocol for designating an alternative physician for consultation.

SB 279 would allow nurse practitioners (NP) to diagnose and order, perform, supervise and interpret laboratory and imaging studies.

The Michigan Radiological Society opposes this bill.

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) has partnered with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates about radiology and healthcare-related legislation. To stay current regarding state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map. You can also access information and ACR resources there about scope of practice.

For more information about state legislative activities or if you need any guidance on legislation in your state, contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Affairs Director, or Dillon Harp, ACR Senior Government Relations Specialist.