SECTION 1.There shall be a special task force to conduct an investigation and study concerning optimal and safe use of computed tomography (CT).  The task force shall consist of 3 members of the senate, one of whom shall be the senate chair of the joint committee on public health, and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 3 members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be the house chair of the joint committee on public health, and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; the director of the Massachusetts radiation control program or designee; and 9 persons to be appointed by the governor: 3 of whom shall be radiologists licensed to practice in Massachusetts, one of whom shall have at least five years of experience working at a an academic medical center or teaching hospital, one of whom shall have at least five years of experience working at an acute care hospital other than an academic medical center or teaching hospital, and one of whom shall have at least five years of experience working with a patient population of whom at least 50 percent are under the age of 18; 3 of whom shall be CT technicians, one with between one and five years of experience, one with more than 10 years of experience, and one with at least 3 years of experience working at a dental facility or with a patient population of whom at least 50 percent are under the age of 18; 3 of whom shall be representatives of companies with a principal office in the commonwealth that manufacture CT equipment or produce software for CT equipment and who shall also have expertise in imaging physics or CT protocol development or implementation; and one of whom shall be a representative of a patient advocacy organization.

SECTION 2.   The task force shall make recommendations on optimal CT scan dosages for diagnostic procedures, including frequency and distribution of the dose, , using data collected by the department of public health’s radiation control program, as well as other sources; provide guidance to Massachusetts state and local agencies and public and private health care facilities and providers on radiation dose optimization; design a mandatory education curriculum on CT scan practices and radiation dose optimization for appropriate staff in Massachusetts health care facilities; evaluate the certification and/or licensure requirements for medical professionals whose responsibilities include  CT scans, including dosimetrists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists; develop a plan for maintaining an emphasis on innovation to reduce radiation exposure while optimizing image quality for diagnostic procedures ; and make recommendations on oversight by the radiation control program or other agency or commission.  The task force shall review information issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concerning best practices for CT scans, as well as recommendations from professional medical organizations and individuals and the CT manufacturing sector.  Appointed members of the commission shall not be considered special state employees for the purpose of compliance with chapter 268A.

The special task force shall submit a report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,  the senate president, and the legislative members of the joint committee on public health, setting forth the task force findings,  recommendations and proposals, by December 31, 2018.  The special task force shall dissolve upon completion of its duties and obligations, as indicated by submission of its findings and recommendations, unless the General Court, in advance of that date, extends its term for a set period or indefinitely.