Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of specified healing arts licensees, including, among others, physicians and surgeons, physician assistants, nurses, and nurse anesthetists. Existing unfair competition laws establishes a statutory cause of action for unfair competition, including any unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue, or misleading advertising.
This bill, the Anesthesiologist Assistant Practice Act, would make it unlawful for any person to hold themselves out as an anesthesiologist assistant, as defined, unless they meet specified requirements. The bill would make it an unfair business practice to violate these provisions. The bill would require an anesthesiologist assistant to work under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist, and would require the anesthesiologist to be physically present on the premises, and immediately available, to oversee and take responsibility for medical services rendered by the anesthesiologist assistant. The bill would authorize an anesthesiologist assistant, under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, to assist in developing and implementing an anesthesia care plan for a patient.

Statutes affected:
AB 985: 680 BPC
02/20/25 - Introduced: 680 BPC
03/24/25 - Amended Assembly: 680 BPC