Rep. Gillespie files bill in North Carolina House to enhance medical imaging safety

A new bill filed by State Rep. Karl E. Gillespie in the North Carolina House seeks to improve patient safety by establishing educational and licensure requirements for medical imaging and radiation therapy practitioners, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 590 on March 31 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Patient Safety/Med. Imaging/Radiation Therapy.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, titled the “Patient Safety in Medical Imaging Act,” aims to enhance patient safety by mandating educational standards and licensure for individuals performing medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures in North Carolina. It establishes the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners to enforce these requirements, including creating licenses for various professionals such as radiographers, sonographers, and radiation therapists. The bill outlines specific credentials needed for certification, as well as standards for education programs. An effective date is set for January 1, 2026, with provisions for those already practicing to obtain licensure under new guidelines. Penalties and disciplinary actions for violations are also defined.

A related bill, SB 415, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Timothy D. Moffitt (and two others) on March 24, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Donna McDowell White proposed the most bills (30) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Gillespie, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 120th House district, replacing previous state representative Kevin Corbin.