The bill proposes significant updates to Alaska's medical regulations, primarily by changing the terminology from "physician assistant" to "physician associate" across various sections. This change is reflected in definitions and provisions related to the State Medical Board, which will now include a physician associate, as well as in the context of do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, where physician associates are granted the authority to issue and revoke such orders alongside physicians and advanced practice registered nurses. The bill also introduces new regulations for collaborative practice agreements for pharmacists, ensuring that no fees or approvals are required, and clarifies pharmacists' responsibilities in prescribing opioid overdose drugs under specific circumstances.

Additionally, the bill enhances the regulation of opioid prescriptions by mandating that healthcare providers, including physician associates, prescribe opioid overdose drugs when certain conditions are met, such as exceeding a three-day supply of opioids or when a patient has a history of substance use disorder. It also establishes training requirements for pharmacists in pain management and opioid use, and outlines their responsibilities in patient care. The legislation aims to modernize healthcare terminology, improve patient care and safety, and streamline processes related to DNR orders and advance care directives, ultimately enhancing patient autonomy in medical decision-making.

Statutes affected:
HB0195A, AM HB 195, introduced 04/15/2025: 08.80.030, 17.30.200, 08.80.168, 17.22.020, 17.20.085, 08.80.159, 08.80.110, 08.80.145, 08.80.165, 08.80.337, 08.80.480
HB0195B, AM CSHB 195(L&C), introduced 02/18/2026: 08.80.337, 08.80.030, 17.30.200, 08.80.168, 17.22.020, 17.20.085, 08.80.159, 08.80.110, 08.80.145, 08.80.165, 08.80.480
HB0195C, AM CSHB 195(FIN), introduced 05/15/2026: 08.02.130, 11.71.140, 11.71.190, 08.80.337, 08.36.355, 17.20.085, 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.101, 08.64.364, 17.30.200, 08.64.106, 08.64.170, 08.64.370, 08.64.360, 08.64.363, 18.16.010, 08.64.369, 08.65.140, 18.15.150, 18.15.200, 18.50.160, 18.50.230, 18.50.240, 08.68.265, 08.68.700, 08.68.705, 08.72.276, 08.80.030, 08.80.168, 17.22.020, 08.80.159, 08.80.110, 08.80.145, 08.80.157, 08.80.165, 08.80.400, 08.80.480, 11.71.160, 09.55.560, 47.32.900, 09.65.300, 09.65.340, 09.68.120, 18.08.089, 11.41.470, 11.71.900, 12.55.135, 13.52.065, 13.52.080, 13.52.070, 13.52.055, 13.52.100, 13.52.300, 11.56.200, 13.52.390, 14.30.141, 18.08.087, 18.15.310, 18.15.300, 18.15.320, 18.15.395, 18.20.095, 18.29.190, 18.65.310, 18.67.020, 21.36.090, 21.42.365, 21.42.351, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 28.10.181, 29.45.030, 28.15.111, 33.30.901, 47.30.915, 08.68.850, 47.17.290, 47.30.705, 47.30.700, 47.30.838, 47.37.180, 47.37.190, 47.37.200
HB0195Z, AM Enrolled HB 195, introduced 05/20/2026: 08.02.130, 11.71.140, 11.71.190, 08.80.337, 08.36.355, 17.20.085, 08.64.010, 08.64.107, 08.64.101, 08.64.364, 17.30.200, 08.64.106, 08.64.170, 08.64.370, 08.64.360, 08.64.363, 18.16.010, 08.64.369, 08.65.140, 18.15.150, 18.15.200, 18.50.160, 18.50.230, 18.50.240, 08.68.265, 08.68.700, 08.68.705, 08.72.276, 08.80.030, 08.80.168, 17.22.020, 08.80.159, 08.80.110, 08.80.145, 08.80.157, 08.80.165, 08.80.400, 08.80.480, 11.71.160, 09.55.560, 47.32.900, 09.65.300, 09.65.340, 09.68.120, 18.08.089, 11.41.470, 11.71.900, 12.55.135, 13.52.065, 13.52.080, 13.52.070, 13.52.055, 13.52.100, 13.52.300, 11.56.200, 13.52.390, 14.30.141, 18.08.087, 18.15.310, 18.15.300, 18.15.320, 18.15.395, 18.20.095, 18.29.190, 18.65.310, 18.67.020, 21.36.090, 21.42.365, 21.42.351, 23.30.395, 23.30.095, 28.10.181, 29.45.030, 28.15.111, 33.30.901, 47.30.915, 08.68.850, 47.17.290, 47.30.705, 47.30.700, 47.30.838, 47.37.180, 47.37.190, 47.37.200