Bill > HB377

This bill expands the scope of practice and recognition for Physician Assistants (PAs) and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) by allowing them to perform actions previously restricted to physicians or other specific healthcare professionals. Specifically, PAs and CNMs will now be able to order the admission of pregnant incarcerated individuals to an infirmary, provide competency certificates for guardianship of disabled persons, and participate in certifying a patient's incapacity for treatment decisions, including mental health treatment and voluntary or involuntary admissions to mental health facilities. The bill also clarifies that PAs can be included in the definition of "health care practitioner" for various purposes, such as the Emergency and Allergy Treatment Program, where they can prescribe and dispense epinephrine, and in health maintenance organizations where members can select them as primary care providers. Additionally, the Maryland Department of Health will cover certain charges for emergency evaluations involving PAs, and PAs will be recognized as eligible signatories for sick leave certificates for state employees. Finally, the bill mandates a study by the Maryland Health Care Commission to evaluate the impact of clinician availability on emergency department lengths of stay, particularly concerning the role of PAs in facilities with insufficient physicians but adequate PA staffing.