This bill proposes the establishment of Chapter 43-17.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, creating a physician assistant licensure compact designed to improve access to medical services and facilitate the portability of physician assistant licenses across participating states. The compact allows for mutual recognition of licenses, enabling physician assistants to practice in any participating state where the patient is located, while maintaining the authority of state licensing boards to impose disciplinary actions. It also includes provisions to support military families by allowing active duty personnel and their spouses to obtain a compact privilege based on an unrestricted license from a participating state. The bill outlines requirements for states to participate, including licensing physician assistants, implementing a data tracking system, and conducting criminal background checks.

Additionally, the bill establishes a physician assistant licensure compact commission responsible for joint investigations and sharing materials among states. It includes provisions for the deactivation of compact privileges following adverse actions against a physician assistant's qualifying license and grants the commission powers such as establishing a code of ethics and managing its budget. The bill also introduces legal protections for commission members against liability for actions taken within their official duties, mandates the establishment of a coordinated data system for tracking licensure, and outlines a dispute resolution process for participating states. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the governance, accountability, and operational efficiency of the commission while ensuring patient safety and regulatory oversight.