SPONSOR: Keathley
The bill creates the "Physician Assistant Licensure Compact".
Physician assistants licensed in states that are participating in the interstate compact can practice in other participating states without additional requirements. The bill addresses current license reciprocity laws in Missouri to clarify that the compact will not affect those laws. The compact will allow active duty military personnel and their spouses to obtain a compact privilege based on having an unrestricted license in good standing from a participating State.
The bill specifies the conditions for a state to join and continue as a participating state, such as enacting a compact that is not materially different from the model compact, implementing a criminal background check requirement, accepting certain examinations and accreditations, and paying a participation fee to the Compact Commission.
The bill also defines the qualifications and obligations of a licensee who seeks to obtain and exercise a compact privilege in a remote state, such as having a qualifying license, meeting any jurisprudence requirement, reporting any adverse action, and complying with the scope of practice of the remote state.
Participating states have the authority to impose adverse actions against qualifying licenses. Remote states can take adverse actions against compact privileges within that state's jurisdiction. States can take necessary legal actions to protect citizens' health and safety. States can issue subpoenas for hearings and investigations, which must be enforced by courts in other participating states. Subpoenas cannot be used to gather evidence for lawful conduct in another state to take adverse action against a licensee's compact privilege. States cannot impose discipline for lawful practice in another state.
States must treat reported conduct from other states as if it occurred within their own jurisdiction. States can take adverse actions based on findings from other states, following their own procedures. States can participate in joint investigations and share materials. Adverse actions against a qualifying license result in the deactivation of the compact privilege in all remote states for two years after restrictions are removed. States must notify the compact data system administrator promptly of any adverse actions. The bill establishes the "Physician Assistant Compact Commission", composed of one commissioner from each participating state, to administer and enforce the compact. The commission will have the power to adopt rules and bylaws, maintain a data system, charge fees, conduct investigations, take disciplinary actions, issue subpoenas, and initiate legal proceedings. The bill also outlines the procedures and standards for the Commission's meetings, financial review, purchasing, borrowing, executive board, and annual report. This bill specifies how commission meetings can be held and legal actions the commission can take.
Statutes affected: