AR SB152

Increases Arkansas State Medical Board membership from 14 to 15 members and adds one qualified, licensed, and practicing physician assistant appointed by the Governor after consulting the Arkansas Academy of Physician Assistants, subject to Senate confirmation.

Allows physician assistants to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances including opioids for five days or less and stimulants meeting specified criteria (originally prescribed by physician, patient evaluated within six months, treatment of same condition).

Changes physician assistant supervision requirements from protocol-based to delegation agreement-based, allowing supervising physicians to determine delegated duties and responsibilities at the practice level.

Expands Physician Assistant Committee duties to include applications for licensure and renewal, disciplinary proceedings, and other regulatory matters, with one physician assistant member and two physician members serving on the committee.

Adds immunity for physician assistants who voluntarily provide emergency medical care outside their ordinary employment, protecting them from civil damages for ordinary negligence but not gross, willful, or wanton negligence.