SB1406 Summary

• Establishes written guidelines for medical records review between physician assistants and supervising physicians, requiring guidelines to be kept on file and made available to the Hawaii medical board.

• Implements tiered medical records review requirements based on physician assistant experience: 50% of records reviewed within 30 days for the first six months of practice, then 25% for the next six months; experienced assistants with over one year of practice require monthly audits of at least 30 minutes.

• Requires physician assistants to obtain 40 continuing medical education credit hours per biennial renewal period through accredited programs from the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, or American Academy of Physician Assistants.

• Authorizes the Hawaii medical board to conduct random audits of physician assistants' continuing education compliance, with audited practitioners required to provide documentation within 60 days of notification.

• Clarifies that failure to renew, pay renewal fees, or provide audit documentation results in license forfeiture, which may be restored upon written application, payment of restoration fee, and proof of compliance; licenses forfeited for one full renewal term are automatically terminated and require new licensure application.