An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-2956.8:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to practice of radiologic technology; licensure exceptions.
HB452 amends Virginia’s law governing the practice of radiologic technology by expanding the existing licensure exception for certain hospital employees. Under the bill, the prohibition on practicing or holding oneself out as a radiologist assistant, radiologic technologist, or radiologic technologist, limited, without a license does not apply to a person employed or engaged by a hospital, a health care system, or an urgent care center affiliated with a hospital or health care system, so long as the person is acting within the scope of that employment or engagement.
The bill also preserves the Board of Medicine’s authority to regulate licensure qualifications for radiologist assistants and radiologic technologists, including education, experience, examinations, and competency review. It makes the Board’s initial regulations under this act exempt from the Administrative Process Act and provides that the act will expire on July 1, 2029.
HB452 changes § 54.1-2956.8:1 of the Code of Virginia by creating a broader statutory exception from licensure for certain radiologic technology personnel working in hospitals, health care systems, and affiliated urgent care centers. It affects the enforcement of licensure requirements and title restrictions for radiologist assistants, radiologic technologists, and radiologic technologists, limited, while leaving the Board of Medicine’s general regulatory authority intact. The act is temporary, with a sunset date of July 1, 2029, and its initial implementing regulations are exempt from the normal Administrative Process Act rulemaking procedures.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded vote data, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the materials provided. The bill’s enactment as Chapter 144 suggests it received sufficient support to pass both chambers and be signed into law. Based on the text alone, the measure appears to have been a targeted professional licensing adjustment rather than a broadly controversial policy change.
The main policy issue in the bill is the scope of the licensure exception: whether employees or contractors working in hospital-based health care settings, including affiliated urgent care centers, should be exempt from the radiologic technology licensing requirement when acting within the scope of their duties. Potential concerns would likely center on patient safety, professional standards, and whether the exemption could weaken oversight or create ambiguity about who qualifies. No specific opposing arguments or named stakeholders are included in the provided materials.