1. (1) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that public exposure to the hazards of ionizing radiation used for diagnostic purposes should be minimized wherever possible. Accordingly, the general assembly finds, determines, and declares that for any dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist to allow an untrained person to operate a machine source of ionizing radiation, including without limitation a device commonly known as an X-ray machine, or to administer radiation to a patient for diagnostic purposes is a threat to the public health and safety.
2. (2) It is the intent of the general assembly that dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists utilizing unlicensed persons in their practices provide those persons with a minimum level of education and training before allowing them to operate machine sources of ionizing radiation; however, it is not the general assembly's intent to discourage education and training beyond this minimum. It is further the intent of the general assembly that established minimum training and education requirements correspond as closely as possible to the requirements of each particular work setting as determined by the board pursuant to this part 6.
3. (3) The general assembly seeks to ensure, and accordingly declares its intent, that in promulgating the rules authorized by this part 6, the board will make every effort, consistent with its other statutory duties, to avoid creating a shortage of qualified individuals to operate machine sources of ionizing radiation for beneficial medical purposes in any area of the state.

Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 261, § 1, effective September 14. L. 2022: (1) and (2) amended, (SB 22-219), ch. 381, p. 2722, § 25, effective January 1, 2023.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-220-201 as it existed prior to 2020.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-219, see section 1 of chapter 381, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.