The bill amends the General Laws concerning Physician Assistants in Chapter 5-54, introducing new definitions such as "collaboration" and "approved program" to clarify their roles. It modifies licensure criteria, mandating candidates for initial licensure and licensure renewal to complete a criminal history records check after January 1, 2027. The bill increases the required continuing medical education from 25 to 50 hours biannually, with the accumulation period commencing on June 1 and running through May 31, beginning in 2026.

Additionally, the bill renders any restrictive covenants in contracts with physician assistants that limit their practice rights void and unenforceable, with specific exceptions for the purchase and sale of a practice, provided that the restrictive covenant is for a period of not more than five years. It also repeals a previous section on charitable care participation and introduces provisions for concussion evaluation and management in youth sports, allowing physician assistants and certified nurse practitioners to assess athletes suspected of head injuries.

Furthermore, the bill requires school districts to develop and implement guidelines for evaluating student athletes for concussion, ensuring they are cleared for return to participation in writing by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner. It mandates that all coaches and volunteers complete an online training course on the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest and that parents or guardians receive information about these signs before each sports season. The bill establishes protocols for student athletes showing symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, requiring their removal from participation until evaluated and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider. It encourages the presence of an athletic trainer at relevant events and reinforces the continuing medical education requirements for physician assistants while allowing them to provide charitable care under certain conditions.

Statutes affected:
7935: 5-54-28, 16-91-3, 16-91.1-3