1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; authorizing the use of certain handheld portable x-ray systems 
1.3 	in facilities;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [144.1215] AUTHORIZATION TO USE CERTAIN HANDHELD 
1.6 	PORTABLE X-RAY SYSTEMS.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definition; handheld portable x-ray system. For purposes of this 
1.8 	section, "handheld portable x-ray system" means an x-ray system that is designed to be 
1.9 	hand-carried and is for handheld use without a fixed mounting or stand.
1.10 		Subd. 2.Use authorized. (a) A facility may use a handheld portable x-ray system if the 
1.11 	system:
1.12 	(1) has been approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration and 
1.13 	is being used at the facility in a manner consistent with that approval;
1.14 	(2) has at least five years of use history recognized by the United States Food and Drug 
1.15 	Administration; and
1.16 	(3) utilizes a backscatter shield that:
1.17 	(i) is composed of a leaded polymer or a substance with a substantially equivalent 
1.18 	protective capacity;
1.19 	(ii) has at least 0.25 millimeters of lead or lead-shielding equivalent; and
1.20 	(iii) is permanently affixed to the handheld portable x-ray system.
2.1 	(b) A facility is prohibited from using a handheld portable x-ray system if the system's 
2.2 	backscatter shield is broken or not permanently affixed to the system.
2.3 	(c) The commissioner shall not limit the use of a handheld portable x-ray system solely 
2.4 	to situations in which it is impractical to transfer the patient to a stationary x-ray system.
2.5 	(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 4732.0880, subpart 2, item C, the tube housing 
2.6 	and the position-indicating device of a handheld portable x-ray system may be handheld 
2.7 	during an exposure.
2.8 		Subd. 3.Training required; training records. A facility at which a handheld portable 
2.9 	x-ray system is used must ensure that all operators of the handheld portable x-ray system 
2.10 	at the facility are trained in the safe and effective use of the system. An operator of a handheld 
2.11 	portable x-ray system must complete training in the use of the system before using the 
2.12 	system for the first time. The facility must maintain records of the training required under 
2.13 	this subdivision, and training records must be available to the commissioner for review.
2.14 		Subd. 4.Exemptions from certain shielding requirements. A facility that uses a 
2.15 	handheld portable x-ray system according to this section is exempt from the following 
2.16 	requirements for the system:
2.17 	(1) shielding requirements in Minnesota Rules, part 4732.0365, item B;
2.18 	(2) requirements for the location of the x-ray control console or utilization of a protective 
2.19 	barrier in Minnesota Rules, part 4732.0800, subpart 2, item B, subitems (2) and (3); and
2.20 	(3) a requirement for visual indication from an operator's protected position at an x-ray 
2.21 	control in Minnesota Rules, part 4732.0800, subpart 2, item C.