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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
radiation therapy; rural counties
Purpose
An emergency measure that requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to allow the use of a particle accelerator to treat human diseases under general supervision in counties with a population of fewer than 400,000 persons or at critical access hospitals, if specified conditions are met.
Background
DHS is the regulatory agency that oversees the use, storage and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation producing machines to ensure public safety. DHS is responsible for issuing licenses, inspections and safety standards for x-ray, industrial, medical and non-ionizing radiation sources.
A radiation therapy technologist is a person who uses radiation on humans for therapeutic purposes. DHS is responsible for issuing certificates and enforcing standards of practice for radiation therapy technologists in accordance with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Practice Standards. The practice of radiation therapy is performed by health care professionals responsible for the administration of high doses of ionizing radiation for the purpose of treating diseases, primarily cancer. A radiation therapist acquires and analyzes data in preparation for patient treatment, uses various imaging technologies to localize the treatment area, participates in treatment planning and performs radiation therapy procedures as prescribed and supervised by a radiation oncologist (A.R.S. § 32-2801; A.A.C. R9-16-608 and ASRT).
A particle accelerator is a machine that accelerates elementary particles, such as electrons or protons, to very high energies. In medical applications, particle accelerators are used to produce radioisotopes for medical diagnosis and therapy, and as sources of beams of charged particles to destroy cancerous tissue (U.S. Department of Energy).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires DHS to allow the use of a particle accelerator to treat human diseases under general supervision in counties with a population of fewer than 400,000 persons and at critical access hospitals if specified conditions are met.
2. Requires, as a condition of particle accelerator use, the registrant or an authorized user to:
a) establish a written protocol for radiation procedures performed under general supervision, including follow-up instructions for the patient;
b) review and, as necessary, revise the written protocol at least annually; and
c) document the review with a dated signature.
3. Requires, as a condition of particle accelerator use, the registrant to ensure that:
a) any procedure performed with the device is not a special procedure; and
b) a radiation therapy technologist follows the applicable written protocol when delivering radiation to a patient.
4. Requires the registrant to ensure that, at least every six months, an authorized user:
a) observes each radiation therapy technologist performing procedures to ensure adherence to applicable written protocols; and
b) documents the observation and assessment of the technologist.
5. Requires the registrant to ensure that an authorized user is on-site and available for consultation about patient care at least once every five working days, as documented by the registrant.
6. Requires a registrant that uses general supervision for particle accelerator treatment to develop, maintain and implement procedures to monitor both:
a) the performance of each procedure by a radiation therapy technologist under general supervision; and
b) the quality of patient care.
7. Defines terms.
8. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.
House Action
HHS 1/22/26 DP 11-0-0-1
3rd Read 2/23/26 57-0-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 2, 2026
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