The bill H. 3579 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to improve the regulation and practice of physician assistants (PAs). It introduces provisions that allow PAs with substantial postgraduate clinical experience to practice based on an attestation statement that outlines the medical and surgical acts they are authorized to perform. Additionally, the bill permits PAs licensed in other jurisdictions to provide emergency care in South Carolina under specific conditions while limiting their liability. The composition of the State Board of Medical Examiners will be revised to include two PAs, ensuring their representation in regulatory matters. The bill also updates definitions related to medical practice, including "practice agreement," "unprofessional conduct," and "telemedicine," and emphasizes the need for a proper physician-practitioner-patient relationship before prescribing medications.

Moreover, the bill establishes guidelines for the delegation of tasks to certified medical assistants (CMAs) and allows PAs to delegate nursing tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) under their supervision. It clarifies the responsibilities of supervising physicians and outlines the conditions under which PAs can prescribe medications, including controlled substances. The bill also addresses the disciplinary authority of the board over PAs for misconduct, specifying grounds for disciplinary action such as misrepresentation and unethical conduct. Importantly, it mandates that third-party payers cannot impose more restrictive practice requirements on PAs than those established by law, thereby modernizing the regulatory framework for PAs and enhancing patient safety within the healthcare system.

Statutes affected:
12/12/2024: 40-47-937, 40-47-939, 40-47-10, 40-47-20, 40-47-113, 40-47-195, 40-47-196, 40-47-910, 40-47-915, 40-47-935, 40-47-965, 40-47-1000, 40-47-1005, 40-47-1020, 44-80-120, 44-99-10, 59-63-75, 59-63-95
Latest Version: 40-47-937, 40-47-939, 40-47-10, 40-47-20, 40-47-113, 40-47-195, 40-47-196, 40-47-910, 40-47-915, 40-47-935, 40-47-965, 40-47-1000, 40-47-1005, 40-47-1020, 44-80-120, 44-99-10, 59-63-75, 59-63-95