Bill > SB88

This bill updates Kentucky's laws regarding physician assistants (PAs) by replacing the term "supervising physician" with "collaborating physician" and establishing new requirements for the professional relationship between PAs and physicians. The bill defines a collaboration agreement as a mutually developed document outlining communication and collaboration procedures, which does not require the physical presence of the collaborating physician at the PA's practice location. Key provisions include limiting a collaborating physician to no more than four PAs, requiring a signed collaboration agreement that specifies the PA's scope of practice and communication processes, and mandating that the agreement be kept on file and made available to the medical licensing board. The bill also expands the services PAs can provide, including obtaining patient histories, diagnosing and treating medical conditions, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing certain medications, and certifying patient health status. Additionally, the bill clarifies that PAs cannot practice medicine independently and must consult with or refer patients to an appropriate physician when necessary. The legislation repeals previous sections of law related to physician supervision and updates various other Kentucky statutes to reflect these changes in terminology and practice standards.

Labor and Employment

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/sb88.html