Assembly Bill 12 aims to establish state agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. The bill specifies that these healthcare providers, when acting in accordance with written protocols from the Department of Health Services (DHS), will be considered state agents for legal purposes. This designation provides them with legal protections, such as having any judgments against them in actions related to their services covered by DHS. The bill also allows these professionals to supervise immunization programs and issue orders for immunizations, further integrating them into public health efforts.

Key amendments in the bill include the renaming of section 251.07 to reflect a broader category of "health care providers" instead of just "physicians," and the inclusion of definitions for "advanced practice nurse prescriber" and "physician assistant." Additionally, the bill expands the list of individuals who can supervise immunization programs to include physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers, ensuring they receive the same legal protections as physicians when providing these services. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the role of these healthcare providers in public health initiatives while ensuring they are protected under state law.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 165.25(6)(c), 165.25, 251.07(title), 251.07, 252.04(9), 252.04, 895.46(5)(b), 895.46