The bill amends Chapter 5-54 of the General Laws, which governs "Physician Assistants," by introducing new definitions such as "Administrator," "Approved program," and "Collaboration." A significant change is the removal of the term "employer, physician group" from the definition of "Collaboration," which is now defined as "affiliated with the practice, or the credentialing and privileging systems of a healthcare facility licensed pursuant to chapter 17 of title 23 or a health maintenance organization." This adjustment underscores the collaborative role of physician assistants while ensuring that a physician is available for consultation. Additionally, the bill revises continuing medical education requirements, increasing the hours from twenty-five to fifty, changing the frequency from annually to biannually, and establishing a new accumulation period from June to May, with the first renewal starting in June 2025.

Moreover, the bill allows physician assistants to volunteer at children's summer camps or community events without a collaborating physician, provided they have liability coverage. It also voids restrictive covenants in contracts that limit physician assistants' rights to practice post-termination, while still permitting enforceable provisions related to practice sales. The bill enhances safety guidelines for youth sports, mandating that athletes suspected of having concussions or cardiac symptoms be removed from play until evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider. It emphasizes training for coaches and school personnel on these health issues and encourages the use of recognized training materials. Overall, the bill aims to improve the professional standards for physician assistants and enhance safety in youth sports while removing unnecessary practice restrictions.

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