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An Act To Require Certification of Radiologic Technologists Who Are Licensed Chiropractic Assistants
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  32 MRSA §559  is enacted to read:
§ 559. Radiologic technologist certification
 
1.  Certification required.     In addition to being licensed under section 556, a person employed in a chiropractic office whose duties include the production of x-rays and who is not licensed under subchapter 3 must be certified by the board as a radiologic technologist under this section.
 
2.  Requirements.     The requirements for a person to be certified as a chiropractic radiologic technologist under this section include that the person:
 
A.  Possesses a valid license under section 556;
 
B.  Satisfactorily completes a board-approved course in radiologic technology that satisfies the standards of care governing the production of x-rays, including:
 
(1) At least 50 hours of instruction; and
 
(2) Sufficient instruction in:
 
(a) Physics and equipment of radiographic imaging;
 
(b) Principles of radiographic exposure;
 
(c) Radiographic protection;
 
(d) Anatomy and physiology; and
 
(e) Radiographic positioning and procedure;
 
C.  Passes a proficiency examination in radiologic technology developed and administered by or under the authority of the board; and
 
D.  Pays a fee not to exceed $100 under section 558.
 
A person registered as active with the American Chiropractic Registry of Radiologic Technologists or a successor organization meets the requirements of paragraphs B and C.
 
3.  Renewal.     A certificate issued under subsection 1 expires at the end of the calendar year in which it is issued. A certificate holder may renew the holder's certificate upon:
 
A.  Completion and submission of a renewal application form approved by the board;
 
B.  Completion of board-approved continuing radiologic technology education during the year; and
 
C.  Payment of a fee not to exceed $100 under section 558.
 
A certificate may be renewed under this section within 24 months of expiration if the certificate holder completes the requirements of paragraph B for or attributed to each calendar year that the certificate was expired. If a certificate has been expired for more than 24 months, the certificate may be renewed if the certificate holder completes the requirements of paragraph A and subsection 2, paragraph C.
 
4.  Display of certificate.     A certificate issued under this section must be displayed in the area of the chiropractic practice where x-ray production is performed by the certificate holder and in a manner that is viewable by a patient.
 
5.  Violation.     A person who violates this section, including a person licensed under subchapter 3 who allows a violation of this section, is subject to the provisions of section 503-B, subsection 4.
 
6.  Rules.     The board shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section, including the provision of continuing radiologic technology education for the purposes of subsection 3, paragraph B. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the certification of radiologic technologists who produce x-rays while employed as licensed chiropractic assistants. Certification requirements include satisfactory completion of a radiologic technology course of instruction of at least 50 hours and passing an examination approved by the Board of Chiropractic Licensure. This bill also contains certificate renewal, continuing radiologic technology education and violation provisions for radiologic technologists.