Concerning general supervision of diagnostic radiologic technologists, therapeutic radiologic technologists, and magnetic resonance imaging technologists by licensed physicians.
SB 5299 permits licensed physicians to provide "virtual direct supervision" for intravenous contrast procedures performed by diagnostic radiologic technologists, therapeutic radiologic technologists, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists. This means physicians no longer need to be physically present during these procedures but must be immediately available via real-time audio/video communication and within 30 miles of the facility. The bill amends Washington’s medical practice law (RCW 18.84.020) to specifically allow this telehealth-based supervision model for IV contrast procedures, while requiring physical supervision for all other radiologic procedures. It directly affects these technologists and their supervising physicians by updating supervision requirements to align with modern telehealth capabilities.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to replace the term 'general supervision' with 'virtual direct supervision,' allowing physicians to oversee radiologic procedures remotely via real-time audio and video rather than just being within a 15-minute response time. This update modernizes the law to explicitly permit telemedicine-based oversight, expanding where and how these medical procedures can be performed while maintaining patient safety through specific distance and staffing requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to explicitly authorize remote supervision of diagnostic and therapeutic radiologic procedures via telecommunications, whereas the original text only defined general supervision as a procedure where the physician does not need to be physically present but could respond quickly.
DEFINITION
Replaced the definition of 'general supervision' with 'virtual direct supervision' to clarify that the supervising physician must be immediately available via real-time audio and visual interactive telecommunications.
REQUIREMENT
Changed the physical proximity requirement for the supervising physician from being within 15 minutes to respond to being within 30 miles of the facility where the procedure is taking place.
Added a specific requirement that clinical staff trained to administer medications must be present at the facility to handle adverse events during virtual supervision.
Updated references to 'direct supervision' in the context of intravenous contrast procedures to specify that these may now be performed under 'virtual direct supervision'.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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