The bill amends Alaska's medical practice laws to enhance the role and regulation of physician assistants (PAs). Key changes include the requirement for PAs to be licensed in the state and the establishment of collaborative agreements with supervising physicians. The legislation outlines the scope of practice for PAs, detailing the medical acts they can perform, the necessary oversight by collaborating physicians, and conditions for practicing in remote areas. It also mandates that PAs notify the State Medical Board when they begin practicing in a new specialty and provides a framework for assessing their competencies.

Additionally, the bill expands the definition of the practice of medicine to include PAs, ensuring they are subject to the same standards and regulations as physicians and osteopaths. It allows PAs to be concurrently referred for the treatment of systemic diseases, clarifies their authority to determine the pronouncement of death under specific circumstances, and removes the requirement for direct supervision by a licensed physician or psychiatrist. The bill also introduces provisions to prevent healthcare contracts from imposing restrictive requirements on PAs and repeals the mandate for supervision, thereby granting them greater autonomy in their practice. Overall, the legislation aims to improve the integration of PAs into the healthcare system while maintaining high standards of practice and patient safety.

Statutes affected:
SB0089A, AM SB 89, introduced 02/07/2025: 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.206, 08.64.200, 08.64.230, 08.64.255, 08.64.250, 08.64.205, 08.64.209, 08.64.270, 08.64.225, 08.64.275, 08.64.279, 08.64.312, 08.64.326, 18.16.010, 09.55.535, 08.64.363, 08.64.334, 08.64.336, 08.64.101, 44.62.310, 18.23.030, 08.64.360, 08.64.370, 08.02.130, 08.64.380, 11.71.900, 13.52.390, 18.08.089, 21.07.010, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 33.30.901