Radiologist assistants; authorize certain communications with health care providers., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Human Services

By: Representative Creekmore IV

House Bill 515

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-58-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO
AUTHORIZE RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS TO NOTIFY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TREATING THE
PATIENT THAT THE ORDERED IMAGING PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED; TO PROVIDE
THAT RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS MAY ONLY COMMUNICATE THEIR INITIAL OBSERVATIONS TO
THE RADIOLOGIST; TO AUTHORIZE RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS TO COMMUNICATE THE
RADIOLOGIST'S FINAL OR PRELIMINARY INTERPRETATION TO OTHER HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.  Section
41-58-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-58-7.  (1)  The State
Board of Medical Licensure shall license and regulate the practice of
radiologist assistants in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(2)  A radiologist may use
the services of a radiologist assistant to practice radiology assistance under
the supervision of the radiologist, provided that the radiologist assistant is
duly qualified and licensed as provided in this section.

(3)  The board shall
promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations necessary to enable it
to discharge its functions and enforce the provisions of law regulating the
practice of radiologist assistants.  Those rules and regulations shall include,
but are not limited to:  qualifications for licensure for radiologist
assistants; scope of practice of radiologist assistants; supervision of
radiologist assistants; identification of radiologist assistants; grounds for
disciplinary actions and discipline of radiologist assistants; and setting and
charging reasonable fees for licensure and license renewals for radiologist
assistants.

(4)  Those rules and
regulations adopted by the board pertaining to the scope of practice and the
educational qualifications necessary to practice as a radiologist assistant
shall be consistent with guidelines adopted by the American College of
Radiology, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and the American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

(5)  Applicants for
licensure as a radiologist assistant must be:  (a) credentialed to provide
radiology services under the supervision of a radiologist; (b) a radiologic
technologist registered under Sections 41-58-1 through 41-58-5; and (c)
certified and registered with the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists.

(6)  A radiologist assistant
may not interpret images, make diagnoses or prescribe medications or therapies.  A radiologist assistant may notify health care
providers treating the patient that the ordered imaging procedures have been
completed.  A radiologist assistant may only communicate their initial
observations to the radiologist.  A radiologist assistant may communicate the
radiologist's final or preliminary interpretation to other health care
providers.

SECTION 2.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.