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SB 415

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in computer offenses, providing for the offense of ransomware; and imposing duties on the Office of Administration.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cris Dush and 6 co-sponsors

SB 415 creates licensure and a Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board to require educated, licensed technologists; standardize training and oversight to boost patient safety.

Referred to Judiciary
0
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Bill Summary · SB 415

SB 415 — Patient Safety in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy

Status: Passed 1st Reading (Introduced: February 14, 2025)

Purpose / Intent

SB 415 — titled the "Patient Safety in Medical Imaging Act" — is designed to strengthen patient safety by ensuring that medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures are performed by education‑prepared, clinically competent, and licensed personnel. The bill standardizes qualifications, creates an oversight body, and establishes licensure and practice requirements for technical personnel who operate imaging and radiation equipment.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishes a new regulatory framework (Article) governing radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, sonographers, nuclear medicine technologists, radiologist assistants, and related imaging specialties.
  • Creates (or designates) the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners (the Board) with authority to:
    • Define modalities and scopes of practice (e.g., radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, nuclear medicine, diagnostic medical sonography, bone densitometry, radiation therapy);
    • Adopt education, training, examination, and certification standards;
    • Issue licenses, set renewal and continuing education requirements, and enforce discipline.
  • Requires licensure to perform or offer to perform medical imaging or radiation therapy procedures on humans; prohibits employers from knowingly hiring unlicensed persons to perform these duties.
  • Defines specialty practitioner categories (e.g., radiographer, limited practice radiographer, diagnostic medical sonographer, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist, radiologist assistant) and clarifies mobile imaging and hybrid imaging terms.
  • Provides for exemptions and limited authorizations (the bill text reserves certain exemptions, e.g., for licensed practitioners or supervised trainees, as specified in the Article).
  • Charges the Board with rulemaking authority to implement and administer the licensing regime.

Who is affected

  • Directly affected: technologists and technicians working in medical imaging and radiation therapy (hospital imaging departments, freestanding imaging centers, mobile imaging units, outpatient clinics), professional educators and certification bodies.
  • Employers: hospitals, clinics, imaging centers and other entities that employ imaging personnel will need to verify licensure and may have to adjust hiring, training, supervision, and compliance systems.
  • Patients: intended beneficiaries through improved practitioner competence, standardized minimum qualifications, and enhanced regulatory oversight.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced February 14, 2025; passed first reading. (Next steps typically include referral to relevant committees, hearings, possible amendments, second/third readings, and, if enacted, implementation by the Board under adopted rules.)
  • Implementation specifics (effective dates, grandfathering of existing practitioners, fee structure, and detailed exemptions) are to be set out in the Article and by Board rulemaking; stakeholders should monitor committee reports and agency rulemaking for operational details.

Potential impacts

  • Expected to increase uniformity of training and public protection in imaging and radiation therapy.
  • May impose compliance costs on employers and individuals (licensure fees, continuing education, administrative processes).
  • Could prompt adjustments in educational program curricula and certification pathways to meet new statutory standards.

For stakeholders: track committee analyses, the Board’s proposed rulemaking, and any grandfathering or transition provisions that will determine immediate workforce effects.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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