The bill, introduced by Representatives Lampton and Manning, aims to amend various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to officially change the professional title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate." This change is reflected throughout the bill, where "physician assistant" is deleted and replaced with "physician associate" in multiple sections, including definitions and eligibility criteria for health-related roles. The bill also updates the qualifications and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, ensuring consistent use of the new title across relevant statutes. Additionally, it maintains eligibility criteria for positions within the classified service, such as police officers and firefighters, requiring physical examinations conducted by licensed healthcare professionals, including the newly titled physician associates.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for the appointment and retention of firefighters, mandates physical examinations for school bus drivers, and establishes a Parkinson's disease registry. It also clarifies the roles of various healthcare professionals, including advanced practice registered nurses and physician associates, and outlines the responsibilities of healthcare providers in reporting incidents and managing patient care. The legislation aims to modernize the legal framework governing healthcare professionals in Ohio while ensuring that standards for health and safety remain intact, ultimately enhancing the operational framework for healthcare services and public safety roles.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1.64, 124.32, 124.41, 124.42, 124.50, 503.45, 503.47, 505.38, 709.012, 737.15, 737.16, 737.22, 742.38, 911.11, 1337.11, 1349.05, 1561.26, 1751.01, 1785.01, 2108.61, 2133.01, 2133.211, 2135.01, 2151.3515, 2151.53, 2305.113, 2305.234, 2305.2311, 2305.41, 2305.51, 2711.22, 2743.62, 2907.01, 2907.13, 2907.29, 2909.04, 2921.22, 2925.01, 3107.12, 3111.91, 3301.531, 3313.5310, 3313.7112, 3313.7117, 3319.13, 3327.10, 3331.02, 3331.07, 3701.046, 3701.23, 3701.25, 3701.36, 3701.59, 3701.615, 3701.74, 3701.90, 3701.92, 3701.928, 3701.941, 3709.161, 3715.50, 3715.501, 3715.502, 3715.503, 3715.872, 3719.06, 3719.064, 3719.12, 3719.121, 3719.81, 3721.21, 3727.06, 3728.01, 3792.05, 3795.01, 3919.29, 3963.01, 4503.44, 4507.20, 4715.30, 4723.01, 4723.18, 4723.181, 4723.72, 4723.73, 4729.01, 4729.39, 4730.02, 4730.03, 4730.04, 4730.05, 4730.06, 4730.07, 4730.08, 4730.10, 4730.101, 4730.11, 4730.111, 4730.12, 4730.13, 4730.14, 4730.141, 4730.15, 4730.19, 4730.20, 4730.201, 4730.202, 4730.203, 4730.204, 4730.21, 4730.22, 4730.25, 4730.251, 4730.252, 4730.26, 4730.27, 4730.28, 4730.31, 4730.32, 4730.33, 4730.34, 4730.38, 4730.39, 4730.41, 4730.411, 4730.42, 4730.43, 4730.432, 4730.433, 4730.437, 4730.44, 4730.49, 4730.53, 4730.55, 4730.56, 4730.57, 4730.60, 4731.053, 4731.054, 4731.22, 4731.2210, 4731.25, 4731.297, 4731.33, 4731.37, 4743.09, 4755.48, 4755.623, 4761.01, 4761.11, 4761.17, 4765.01, 4765.35, 4765.36, 4765.37, 4765.38, 4765.39, 4765.49, 4765.51, 4769.01, 4933.122, 5101.19, 5103.0327, 5104.0110, 5104.037, 5119.185, 5119.363, 5123.47, 5164.072, 5164.301, 5164.95, 5503.08