BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1332
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Date of Hearing: August 4, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
SB 1332 (Dutton) - As Amended: June 23, 2010
Policy Committee: Health Vote:19-0
Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a process for the California Department of
Public Health (DPH) to formally recognize radiologic technology
schools accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in
Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires DPH to approve a diagnostic or therapeutic technology
school if the school meets either the JRCERT Standards for an
Accredited Educational Program in Radiologic Sciences (AEPRS),
revised in 2001, or the JRCERT Standards for an AEPRS
(Standards), as adopted April 2010 and provides related
documentation to the department.
2)Requires DPH to post standards on the department website if
specified conditions are met about the availability of the
information. Requires DPH to adopt the JCERT accreditation
standards under a modified rule making process.
3)Establishes requirements for schools to receive a conditional
permit.
4)Contains an urgency clause and a January 1, 2015 sunset date.
FISCAL EFFECT
No direct fiscal impact to the Department of Public Health to
comply with the requirements of this bill.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The bill establishes a new pathway for radiologic
SB 1332
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technology schools accredited by JRCERT to become recognized
by DPH. JRCERT is a national non-profit and the only
accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of
Education. According to the author, this bill codifies current
DPH practice in which the department has approved schools
possessing JRCERT accreditation for more than a decade. In
2007 DPH sent letters to approved radiologic technology
schools and indicated the regulations governing accreditation
were outdated. DPH notifies schools that until January 1, 2011
or until the regulations were updated, JCERT accreditation
would be considered sufficient under state law. This bill
expedites DPH updated regulations by establishing a modified
rulemaking process in state law.
2)Background . Radiologic technicians perform diagnostic imaging
examinations such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans,
magnetic resonance imaging, and mammography. Radiologic
technicians prepare patients for radiologic examinations by
explaining the procedure, removing jewelry and other articles
through which X-rays cannot pass, and positioning patients so
that the parts of the body can correctly imaged. In addition,
these health professionals provide protection to patients from
radiation exposure and set controls on the X-ray machine to
produce radiographs of the appropriate density, detail, and
contrast.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081