BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1069
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 1069 (Pavley)
As Amended August 16, 2010
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE : 30-0
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 11-0 JUDICIARY 10-0
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Conway, Eng, |Ayes:|Feuer, Tran, Brownley, |
| |Hernandez, Hill, Ma, | |Evans, Hagman, Huffman, |
| |Nava, Niello, Ruskin, | |Jones, Knight, Monning, |
| |Smyth, Logue | |Saldana |
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APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, | | |
| |Bradford, | | |
| |Charles Calderon, Coto, | | |
| |Davis, | | |
| |De Leon, Gatto, Hall, | | |
| |Harkey, Miller, Nielsen, | | |
| |Norby, Skinner, Solorio, | | |
| |Torlakson, Torrico | | |
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SUMMARY : Authorizes physician assistants (PAs) to perform and
certify physical examinations and other specified medical
services, as specified, and authorizes state and local government
agencies to rely on certificates executed by PAs, as specified.
Specifically, this bill :
1)States that a PA acts as an agent of his or her supervising
physician when performing any authorized activity, as specified.
2)Permits a PA to perform certain physical examinations and other
medical services, as specified, and sign and attest to any
certificate, card, form, or other documentation evidencing the
examination or other specified medical services.
3)Authorizes state and local government agencies to rely on
certificates executed by PAs.
SB 1069
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4)Permits a delegation of services agreement to authorize a PA to
do the following:
a) Order durable medical equipment, subject to any
limitations in current law, the delegation of services
agreement, or third-party payer requirements; and,
b) Approve, sign, modify, or add to a plan of treatment or
plan of care for individuals receiving home health services
or personal care services after consultation with the
supervising physician.
5)States that this bill shall not be construed to affect the
validity of any delegation of services agreement in effect prior
to the enactment of this bill or adopted subsequent to its
enactment.
6)Permits PAs to authorize children to take prescribed
medications, including auto-injectable epinephrine, during the
school day.
7)Permits PAs to waive vision tests for schoolchildren.
8)Permits PAs to certify the needs of an individual who has been
diagnosed by a physician and surgeon as being deaf or hearing
impaired after reviewing the medical records or copies of the
medical records containing that diagnosis.
9)Permits PAs to certify that an individual has a visual or
medical need for specialized telecommunications equipment, as
specified.
10)Defines the following terms:
a) "Delegation of services agreement" means the writing from
a supervising physician delegating to a PA the medical
services a PA is authorized to perform, as specified;
b) "Other specified medical services" means tests or
examinations performed or ordered by a PA practicing in
compliance with current law; and,
c) "Discovers" means the latest of the occurrence of any of
the following with respect to each act or omission alleged as
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the basis for disciplinary action:
i) The date the committee receives a complaint or report
describing the act or omission;
ii) The date, subsequent to the original complaint or
report, on which the committee becomes aware of any
additional acts or omissions alleged as the basis for
disciplinary action against the same individual; or,
iii) The date the committee receives from the complainant a
written release of information pertaining to the
complainant's diagnosis and treatment.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, no direct fiscal impact for the PA Committee within the
Department of Consumer Affairs.
COMMENTS : PAs practice medicine under the supervision of
physicians and surgeons. PAs are formally trained to provide
diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services. Many
PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal
medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine. Other specialty areas
include general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine,
orthopedics, and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide
preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or
second assistants during major surgery.
The duties of PAs are determined by the supervising physician and
by current law. The supervising physician has full legal
responsibility for the services performed by the physician,
including liability for any negligence on the part of the
physician. This bill codifies this agency relationship.
Current California law authorizes PAs to perform and certify
medical examinations for purposes of obtaining disability
placards, commercial vehicle licenses, and employment. This bill
brings consistency across the codes by permitting PAs to perform
other, similar examinations and certifications.
Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Weaver / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301 FN: 0005847