The bill amends Arkansas Code 17-95-208 to authorize both physicians and physician assistants to delegate certain medical tasks to qualified employees who are not licensed healthcare providers. The Arkansas State Medical Board is tasked with establishing rules that outline the standards and procedures for such delegation, ensuring that the delegating physician or physician assistant remains responsible for the actions of the employee performing the delegated tasks. The bill specifies that these tasks may include the administration of drugs that do not require substantial specialized judgment and must be performed under the supervision of the delegating physician or physician assistant.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection to Arkansas Code 17-105-107, explicitly allowing physician assistants to delegate certain tasks as authorized under the amended section 17-95-208 and the rules set forth by the Arkansas State Medical Board. The amendments also clarify that the delegation of medical practices must occur within the physical boundaries of the delegating physician's or physician assistant's practice and establish training and competency requirements for those administering drugs. The bill prohibits the delegation of anesthesia administration and ensures that the responsibility for supervising delegated practices cannot be transferred to other health professionals outside of physicians or physician assistants.

Statutes affected:
SB 99: 17-95-208, 17-105-107