The bill amends sections 458.347 and 459.022 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the practice of physician assistants (PAs) by allowing them to register and practice without physician supervision under specific conditions. It introduces a new legislative intent focused on ensuring accessible, high-quality medical care at reasonable costs, while emphasizing the collaborative role of PAs with physicians and other healthcare practitioners. The definition of a physician assistant is revised, and new criteria for unsupervised registration are established, including requirements for clinical practice hours, financial responsibility, and completion of specific conditions set by the council.

Additionally, the bill outlines the activities that registered PAs may engage in without supervision, such as practicing in various medical fields and managing patient care in healthcare facilities, while prohibiting them from performing surgical procedures that penetrate deeper than the subcutaneous tissue. It mandates biennial registration renewal and requires PAs to notify the department if they initiate or resume practice without supervision. The council is tasked with adopting rules to establish standards of practice and ensuring that registered PAs provide new patients with information regarding their qualifications and the nature of their practice. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.