A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the radiologist assistant licensure study commission and to appropriate funds for that purpose.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is created the Radiologist Assistant Licensure Study Commission (Commission). The Commission shall consist of 11 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Five members appointed by the Governor as follows:
a.	One person who represents an organization whose primary mission is to represent the interests of physicians.
b.	One person who represents an organization whose primary mission is to represent hospitals and health care facilities.
c.	One person who is knowledgeable in the field of medical radiation physics.
d.	One person who is knowledgeable in the field of education and certification for radiologist assistants.
e.	One person who represents an organization whose primary mission is to represent the interests of radiologists.
(2)	Three members appointed by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as follows:
a.	Two members of the House of Representatives.
b.	One member who represents the interests of other midlevel health care providers, such as physician assistants or nurse practitioners.
(3)	Three members appointed by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as follows:
a.	Two members of the Senate.
b.	One person who represents the interests of radiologist assistants.
SECTION 2.  The Commission shall do the following:
(1)	Determine the number of individuals who may qualify for licensure as radiologist assistants who perform medical imaging examinations and procedures for patients in this State.
(2)	Determine the need for the licensure and regulation of radiologist assistants who perform medical imaging examinations and procedures to protect the citizens of North Carolina from unnecessary radiation and improper medical care related to medical imaging procedures.
(3)	Determine appropriate levels of supervision and practice parameters for the radiologist assistant.
(4)	Develop cost estimates for the establishment of a committee of the North Carolina Medical Board that will develop rules and issue licenses to radiologist assistants.
(5)	Develop draft legislation to present to the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly.
(6)	Consider any other matter the Commission finds relevant to its charge.
SECTION 3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. The Commission, while in discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from the records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120‑3.1 or G.S. 138‑5, as appropriate. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority.
SECTION 4.  The Commission shall submit a report to the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly that contains its recommendations, legislative proposals, and cost analyses. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its report.
SECTION 5.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of twenty‑five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the 2011‑2012 fiscal year for the costs of the work of the Radiologist Assistant Licensure Study Commission, as created under Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 6.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2011.