Physician assistants.

Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, is administered by the Physician Assistant Committee of the Medical Board of California and provides for the licensure and regulation of physician assistants. Existing law provides that a physician assistant may perform the medical services that are set forth by the regulations of the board when the services are rendered under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon. Existing law requires a physician assistant and his or her supervising physician to establish written guidelines for the adequate supervision of the physician assistant. Existing law provides that those requirements may be satisfied by adopting protocols for some or all of the tasks performed by the physician assistant, as specified. This bill would provide that a physician assistant acts as the agent of the supervising physician when performing authorized activities, and would authorize a physician assistant to perform physical examinations and other specified medical services, as defined, and sign and attest to any document evidencing those examinations and other services, as required pursuant to specified provisions of law. The bill would further provide that a delegation of services agreement may authorize a physician assistant to order durable medical equipment and make arrangements with regard to home health services or personal care services. The bill would make conforming changes to provisions in the Education Code and the Public Utilities Code with regard to the performance of those examinations and services and acceptance of those attestations. The bill would also authorize a physician assistant to perform a physical examination that is required for participation in an interscholastic athletic program, as specified.