The bill amends various sections of South Dakota's laws regarding physician assistants (PAs) to modify practice criteria and enhance their operational capabilities. Key changes include allowing physician assistants to practice without a collaborative agreement if they are certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and have completed at least six thousand practice hours. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section permitting PAs to authenticate documents that could also be authenticated by a physician, and it allows them to bill for and receive direct payment for medically necessary services delivered.

The bill also includes several amendments to existing sections, such as clarifying the requirements for collaborative agreements, updating the criteria for licensure, and specifying the responsibilities of PAs in providing medical services. Notably, it repeals several outdated sections related to PA practice, streamlining the regulatory framework. Overall, these changes aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of physician assistants in delivering healthcare services while ensuring they meet necessary qualifications and standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/17/2025: 36-4A-1, 36-4A-1.1, 36-4A-4, 36-4A-5, 36-4A-8, 36-4A-8.1, 36-4A-20.1, 36-4A-26.1, 36-4A-26.2, 36-4A-26.3, 36-4A-30, 36-4A-31, 36-4A-37, 36-4A-42, 36-4A-29, 36-4A-29.1, 36-4A-29.2, 36-4A-32, 36-4A-38
Senate Health and Human Services Engrossed, 02/24/2025: 36-4A-1, 36-4A-1.1, 36-4A-4, 36-4A-5, 36-4A-8, 36-4A-8.1, 36-4A-20.1, 36-4A-26.1, 36-4A-26.2, 36-4A-26.3, 36-4A-30, 36-4A-31, 36-4A-37, 36-4A-42, 36-4A-29, 36-4A-29.1, 36-4A-29.2, 36-4A-32, 36-4A-38
Enrolled, 03/06/2025: 36-4A-1, 36-4A-1.1, 36-4A-4, 36-4A-5, 36-4A-8, 36-4A-8.1, 36-4A-20.1, 36-4A-26.1, 36-4A-26.2, 36-4A-26.3, 36-4A-30, 36-4A-31, 36-4A-37, 36-4A-42, 36-4A-29, 36-4A-29.1, 36-4A-29.2, 36-4A-32, 36-4A-38