SPONSOR: Keathley
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 14 to 0 with 2 members voting present. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules-Legislative by a vote of 12 to 0.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 3129.
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 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 specifies 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.
This bill is similar to HB 1388 (2025).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this would provide a two-way license reciprocity with other states in the compact. This will help provide more healthcare to underserved areas especially rural areas. This would help recruit physician assistants for our state but also allow current physician assistants in Missouri to offer services across state lines.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Keathley; Andrea Applegate, Missouri Academy Of PA's; Sam Panettiere, United WE; Wesley Sutton, Missouri Division of Professional Registration; and SSM Health Care.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: