Bill > SB29

This bill amends West Virginia state law to authorize physician assistants to own medical practices and become shareholders in medical corporations. Specifically, the bill updates existing statutes to explicitly include physician assistants in provisions related to professional discipline, medical corporation authorization, and professional service definitions. Key changes include allowing physician assistants to: own business interests in medical practices, become shareholders in medical corporations, and be recognized as a professional service under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The bill also modifies language in several sections of state code to ensure that physician assistants are treated similarly to physicians and podiatrists in terms of professional practice regulations. The legislation aims to expand the professional opportunities and practice autonomy for physician assistants in West Virginia by removing previous restrictions on business ownership and corporate participation. The changes reflect a broader trend of recognizing physician assistants as increasingly independent and essential healthcare professionals.