This bill amends several sections of the General Laws regarding physician assistants, primarily focusing on their continuing medical education requirements, the ability to provide charitable care, and the restrictions on non-compete agreements. Specifically, it increases the required continuing medical education from twenty-five to fifty hours, to be completed biannually instead of annually. Additionally, it allows physician assistants to provide charitable care without a collaborating physician, provided they have appropriate professional liability insurance coverage.

The bill also prohibits restrictive covenants that limit a physician assistant's ability to practice in a certain geographic area, to treat patients with whom they had established relationships during their employment, or to solicit patients from their former employer. However, this prohibition does not apply to agreements related to the purchase and sale of a practice.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the School and Youth Programs Concussion Act and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act to permit physician assistants to evaluate and clear student athletes for return to play after being removed for symptoms related to concussions or cardiac issues. This change acknowledges the role of physician assistants in managing these health concerns in youth sports. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
703: 16-91-3, 16-91.1-3