STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 54th Legislature (2014)

HOUSE BILL 2671	By:	Derby

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to professions and occupations; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Section 519.3, which relates to the Physician Assistant Act; clarifying language; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2011, Section 519.3, is amended to read as follows:
Section 519.3  A.  There is hereby created the Physician Assistant Committee, which shall be composed of seven (7) members.  Two members of the Committee shall be physician assistants appointed by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision from a list of qualified individuals submitted by the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants.  One member shall be a physician appointed by the Board from its membership.  One member shall be a physician appointed by the Board from a list of qualified individuals submitted by the Oklahoma State Medical Association and who is not a member of the Board.  One member shall be a physician appointed by the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners from its membership.  One member shall be a physician appointed by the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners from a list of qualified individuals submitted by the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association and who is not a member of said board.  One member shall be a licensed pharmacist appointed by the Board of Pharmacy.
B.  The term of office for each member of the Committee shall be five (5) years.  Provided, of those members initially appointed to the Committee by the Board, two shall serve three-year terms and two shall serve five-year terms, as designated by the Board; of those members initially appointed to the Committee by the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, one shall serve a two-year term and one shall serve a four-year term, as designated by said board; and the member initially appointed by the Board of Pharmacy shall serve a five-year term.
C.  The Committee shall meet at least quarterly.  At the initial meeting of the Committee, members shall elect a chair.  The chair shall represent the Committee at all meetings of the Board.  Four members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting official business of the Committee.
D.  The State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision is ~~hereby~~ granted the power and authority to promulgate rules, which are in accordance with the provisions of Section 519.1 et seq. of this title, governing the requirements for licensure as a physician assistant, as well as to establish standards for training, approve institutions for training, and regulate the standards of practice of a physician assistant after licensure, including the power of revocation of a license.
E.  The State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision is ~~hereby~~ granted the power and authority to investigate all complaints, hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and initiate prosecution concerning violations of Section 519.1 et seq. of this title.  When such complaints involve physicians licensed by the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners shall be officially notified of such complaints.
F.  1.  The Committee shall advise the Board on matters pertaining to physician assistants, including, but not limited to:
a.	educational standards required to practice as a physician assistant,
b.	licensure requirements required to practice as a physician assistant,
c.	methods and requirements to assure the continued competence of physician assistants after licensure,
d.	the drugs and other medical supplies for which physician assistants are permitted to prescribe and order under the direction of their supervising physicians,
e.	the grounds for revocation or suspension of a license for a physician assistant,
f.	education and experience requirements to receive approval to practice in remote patient care settings, and
g.	all other matters which may pertain to the practice of physician assistants.
2.  The Committee shall review and make recommendations to the Board on all applications for licensure as a physician assistant and all applications to practice which shall be approved by the Board.  When considering applicants for licensure, to establish standards of training or approve institutions for training, the Committee shall include the Director, or designee, of all Physician Assistant educational programs conducted by institutions of higher education in the state as members.
3.  The Committee shall assist and advise the Board in all hearings involving physician assistants who are deemed to be in violation of Section 519.1 et seq. of this title or the rules of the Board.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2014.

54-2-8214	AM	01/08/14