This bill amends existing laws governing the practice and regulation of physician assistants in Alaska, significantly enhancing their role within the healthcare system. It mandates that the State Medical Board include one licensed physician assistant, replacing the previous requirement for a specific licensing section. The bill also repeals and reenacts the scope of practice for physician assistants, allowing them to perform a variety of medical services, such as obtaining health histories, diagnosing and managing treatments, and prescribing controlled substances. Notably, it outlines conditions under which physician assistants can practice without a collaborative agreement with a physician, particularly in federally qualified health centers or military facilities.

Additionally, the bill introduces new qualifications for physician assistant applicants, including proof of graduation from an accredited program and current certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. It expands the board's authority to grant temporary permits and includes provisions for reporting and immunity related to substance abuse evaluations. The bill also inserts "physician assistant" into various definitions and provisions, clarifying their authority to provide medical services and allowing them to make determinations regarding the pronouncement of death under specific circumstances. Furthermore, it prevents healthcare contracts from imposing more restrictive practice or collaboration requirements than those set by the State Medical Board, ultimately aiming to improve healthcare delivery by recognizing the qualifications and capabilities of physician assistants.

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
SB0089B, AM CSSB 89(L&C), introduced 05/19/2025: 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
SB0089C, AM CSSB 89(2d L&C), introduced 02/25/2026: 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.106, 18.08.089, 08.64.370, U.S.C, 08.64.200, 08.64.230, 08.64.206, 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, 08.02.130, 08.64.380, 11.71.900, 13.52.390, 21.07.010, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 33.30.901
SB0089D, AM HCS CSSB 89(HSS), introduced 03/23/2026: 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.106, 18.08.089, 08.64.370, U.S.C, 08.64.200, 08.64.230, 08.64.206, 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, 08.02.130, 08.64.380, 11.71.900, 13.52.390, 21.07.010, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 33.30.901
SB0089Z, AM Enrolled SB 89, introduced 05/08/2026: 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.106, 18.08.089, 08.64.370, U.S.C, 08.64.200, 08.64.230, 08.64.206, 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, 08.02.130, 08.64.380, 11.71.900, 13.52.390, 21.07.010, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 33.30.901