This bill amends New Jersey law to officially change the title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" throughout various statutes, aligning the state's terminology with the preferences of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). Key amendments include replacing the term "physician assistant" with "physician associate" in contexts such as artificial insemination, gestational carrier agreements, and medical consent for minors. The bill also clarifies the roles and responsibilities of physician associates, allowing them to perform certain medical procedures under the supervision of licensed physicians and updating definitions related to healthcare professionals.

In addition to the title change, the bill introduces new legal language that enhances the regulatory framework for physician associates, including requirements for continuing medical education and the establishment of a Physician Associate Advisory Committee within the State Board of Medical Examiners. The bill also clarifies definitions related to healthcare facilities and introduces provisions for property tax exemptions for certain healthcare services. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the legal language surrounding healthcare professions in New Jersey while ensuring clarity and consistency in the application of these laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:17-44, 9:17-62, 9:17-65, 9:17A-4, 18A:40-41, 18A:40-41.7, 18A:61D-13, 18A:61D-14, 24:6I-3, 24:6J-3, 24:6J-5, 24:6L-3, 24:6M-2, 24:21-15.2, 26:2-192, 26:2H-5, 26:2H-5.34, 26:2H-128, 26:2H-130, 26:2H-131, 26:2H-134, 26:2H-135, 26:2H-136, 26:2K-12, 26:2K-14, 26:3A2-20.3, 26:4-48.2, 26:6-8.1, 26:6-8.2, 26:13-2, 30:4-82.7, 30:4-165.8, 30:4D-6, 30:4D-8.2, 30:9A-24, 39:4-204, 39:4-205, 39:4-206, 40:48J-1, 45:1-15, 45:1-44, 45:1-53.1, 45:1-58, 45:1-61, 45:1-69, 45:1-70, 45:9-27.10, 45:9-27.11, 45:9-27.12, 45:9-27.13, 45:9-27.15, 45:9-27.16, 45:9-27.17, 45:9-27.18, 45:9-27.19, 45:9-27.20, 45:9-27.23, 45:9-27.25, 45:14E-3, 52:17B-71, 54:4-3.6