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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
Senate: HHS DP 7-0-0-0 | Third Read 27-2-1-0 |
SB 1121: radiation protection systems; medical procedures
Sponsor: Senator Werner, LD 4
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Prohibits hospitals that perform cardiac catheterization procedures using real-time x-ray imaging from requiring health professionals to wear lead aprons if the procedure room is equipped with a radiation protection system.
History
Current law requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to regulate the use of ionized radiation in Arizona. DHS is required to adopt rules for radiation protection and radiation dose standards to be as nearly as possible in conformity with, and in no case inconsistent with, the standards contained in the regulations of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the standards of the United States Public Health Service. In the adoption of the standards, DHS is required consider the total occupational radiation exposure of individuals, including that from sources that are not regulated by DHS (A.R.S. § 30-654).
Health care personnel present in a procedure room using ionizing radiation are required to utilize either protective aprons or whole-body protective barriers with a minimum lead-equivalent thickness of 0.25 millimeters to reduce occupational radiation exposure. Medical personnel must wear both badge type dosimeters and direct reading dosimeters during radiographic procedures to monitor and document individual radiation dose and support compliance with applicable occupational exposure limits (A.A.C. R9-7-604; R9-7-1130).
Provisions
1. Forbids a hospital that performs cardiac catheterization procedures involving real-time x-ray imaging from requiring physicians, physician assistants, nurses or other health professionals to wear lead aprons during these procedures if the procedure room is equipped with a radiation protection system that is in use according to the manufacturer's instructions. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires a hospital to require its health professionals to wear lead aprons during procedures in procedure rooms that are equipped with radiation protection systems if the health professional is not primarily working in the designated safety zone. (Sec. 1)
3. Mandates a hospital to require the health professional to wear a real-time dosimeter to monitor radiation exposure if the health professional is working primarily in the radiation protection system's designated safety zone and chooses to not wear a lead apron because the procedure room is equipped with a radiation protection system. (Sec. 1)
4. Clarifies that health professionals are not prohibited from voluntarily choosing to wear a lead apron during a procedure involving real-time x-ray imaging even if the procedure room is equipped with a radiation protection system. (Sec. 1)
5. Defines designated safety zone and radiation protection system. (Sec. 1)
6. Allows DHS to use the expedited rulemaking process to adopt rules for implementing the radiation protection system requirements. (Sec. 2)
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Initials AG/LK SB 1121
3/4/2026 Page 0 Health & Human Services
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