HB1826 Summary

• Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 to change collaboration requirements from "written" collaborative agreements to general collaborative agreements between physicians and physician assistants.

• Authorizes physicians to collaborate with up to 7 full-time equivalent physician assistants (with exceptions for health professional shortage areas and hospitals/ambulatory surgical treatment centers).

• Expands physician assistant prescriptive authority to include Schedule II through V controlled substances, with specific requirements such as 30-day supply limits and monthly physician consultation for controlled substances.

• Establishes the Physician Assistant Medical Licensing Board (replacing the advisory committee) with 7 members including 2 physicians, 4 physician assistants, and 1 public member to manage physician assistant licensing and regulation.

• Effective January 1, 2022.