DE HB349

Establishes a new Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants with 7 voting members (1 physician, 1 supervising physician, 1 pharmacist, and 4 practicing PAs) with authority to promulgate rules governing PA practice subject to Board approval within 60 days.

Increases the maximum number of physician assistants a supervising physician can supervise from 2 to 4 at any given time, and increases the maximum for healthcare facilities from 2 to 4 PAs per physician.

Requires physician practices with multiple offices to have a physician member visit each office at least once per month to ensure proper management and appropriate patient care.

Removes the requirement that supervising physicians be physically present within 30 minutes and allows supervision through electronic communication when appropriate; permits PAs to treat patients where the supervising physician is not routinely present with documented supervision plans.

Creates provisions for inactive licenses, re-entry licenses for PAs returning after 3+ years away from practice, and allows PAs to provide emergency care without standard supervision requirements during declared disasters or emergencies.