Sub. H.B. No. 196 Summary

• Creates licensure framework for surgical assistants - Establishes Chapter 4785 of the Revised Code to regulate surgical assistants as a distinct healthcare profession under State Medical Board oversight, requiring licensure and credential maintenance from national organizations.

• Sets licensing requirements and qualifications - Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma, and be credentialed by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants; includes transition provisions for existing practitioners.

• Defines scope of practice and supervision - Licensed surgical assistants may perform delegated surgical tasks (exposure, hemostasis, incisions, suturing, tissue manipulation, etc.) only under direct physician supervision and physical presence in the operating room.

• Establishes discipline and enforcement mechanisms - Board may revoke, suspend, or restrict licenses for violations including fraud, incompetence, substance abuse, criminal conduct, and violation of professional codes of ethics; includes provisions for impaired practitioners similar to other healthcare professions.

• Implements criminal penalties and renewal requirements - Practicing without a license is a misdemeanor on first offense and felony on subsequent offenses; licenses valid for two years with renewal requiring 38 hours of continuing education.