SB 1121: radiation protection systems; medical procedures - Arizona

Senate Engrossed Version (03/02/2026) → Chaptered Version · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized and approved by the Governor, changing the status from a pending Senate version to an enacted law. The substantive policy changes clarify that hospitals can exempt staff from wearing lead aprons if a radiation protection system is used, but this exemption is no longer absolute; officials must now assess if exposure levels are too high and require protective gear if necessary. Additionally, the definition of a 'radiation protection system' was updated to explicitly include real-time dosimetry as a required component.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on hospitals performing cardiac catheterization, but the applicability of the exemption for not wearing lead aprons is now conditional on radiation safety assessments rather than just the presence of shielding equipment.

REQUIREMENT

The exemption from wearing lead aprons was modified to require a safety assessment by a radiation safety officer; if staff exposure approaches dangerous thresholds, the officer must mandate the use of lead aprons, thyroid collars, or other protective equipment.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'radiation protection system' was updated to explicitly state that the system must include real-time dosimetry to measure radiation exposure for health professionals.

TIMELINE

The document was finalized with specific dates, showing approval by the Governor on June 19, 2026, and filing with the Secretary of State on June 22, 2026.

House Engrossed Version (04/15/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (03/02/2026) · 4 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was revised to clarify that hospitals must require lead aprons for staff working outside a designated safe zone, even when radiation protection systems are present. It also updated the definition of a radiation protection system to explicitly require real-time dosimetry and added a new definition for a 'designated safety zone.' These changes aim to standardize safety protocols and ensure staff are properly monitored based on their specific location during procedures.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was refined to distinguish between staff working primarily in a designated safety zone versus those working outside it, creating a clearer requirement for protective equipment based on location.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement from allowing hospitals to decide when to mandate aprons to a mandatory rule requiring aprons for anyone not working in the designated safety zone.

Added a specific mandate that hospitals must require real-time dosimeters for health professionals who choose not to wear lead aprons while working in the designated safety zone.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'designated safety zone' to specify the area within a procedure room identified for primary shielding.

Updated the definition of 'radiation protection system' to explicitly include the requirement for real-time dosimetry to measure exposure.

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version (04/15/2026) · 5 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten to narrow its scope from all ionizing radiation procedures to only cardiac catheterization with real-time x-ray imaging. It added specific requirements for hospitals to mandate real-time dosimeters for staff who choose not to wear lead aprons, while also clarifying that lead aprons must be required if exposure levels approach safety thresholds. The definition of a 'radiation protection system' remains similar but is now tied to the specific medical context of cardiac catheterization.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was narrowed from any procedure using ionizing radiation to specifically cardiac catheterization procedures involving real-time x-ray imaging.

SCOPE

The scope of procedures covered was changed from general ionizing radiation procedures to specifically cardiac catheterization procedures involving real-time x-ray imaging.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added mandating that hospitals require health professionals to wear real-time dosimeters if they choose not to wear lead aprons in rooms equipped with radiation protection systems.

The rule regarding lead aprons was modified to explicitly allow hospitals to require them if a radiation safety officer determines staff exposure will approach occupational dose thresholds or become elevated.

The previous broad language allowing health professionals to voluntarily wear lead aprons was replaced with a more specific clause confirming this choice is not prohibited.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'radiation protection system' was updated to specify it must provide protection equal to or greater than a .25 millimeter lead-equivalent apron.

radiation protection systems; medical procedures

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors