SB 116 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to physician assistants.

Summary
Amend KRS 311.840 to define terms; amend KRS 311.842, 311.848, 311.850, 202A.011, 202C.010, 216B.175, and 600.020 to change references to "supervising physician" to "collaborating physician" to conform; amend KRS 311.844 to include Schedule II controlled substances in the list of controlled substances authorized license holders may prescribe; amend KRS 311.858 to list the services a physician assistant may provide; require a physician assistant to consult and collaborate with or refer a patient to an appropriate licensed physician as indicated by the patient's condition and the standard of care; create a new section of KRS 311.840 to 311.862 to establish requirements for a collaboration agreement between a collaborating physician and a physician assistant; amend KRS 186.577 to allow physician assistants to administer driver vision tests; amend KRS 218A.202 to conform; repeal KRS 311.854, 311.856, and 311.860, relating to supervising physicians.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed Apr 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill significantly reorganizes the definitions of key terms to clarify the distinction between 'collaboration' and 'supervision,' removing the requirement for a physician's physical presence in either scenario. It updates licensure requirements to include specific continuing education mandates for senior care and dementia awareness, while also adding a pathway for out-of-state physician assistants to obtain licensure by endorsement.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of continuing education requirements to include specific training on senior population needs and dementia, and broadens eligibility by allowing out-of-state licensed physician assistants to apply for Kentucky licensure.
DEFINITION

Redefines 'collaboration' and 'supervision' to explicitly state that neither requires the physical presence of a physician at the service location.

REQUIREMENT

Adds mandatory continuing education hours focused on pediatric abusive head trauma and a one-time course on Alzheimer's and dementia care.

Updates the definition of a physician assistant to require graduation from an accredited program and passing a national certification exam.

ELIGIBILITY

Creates a new licensure pathway allowing physician assistants currently licensed in other states to apply for endorsement in Kentucky.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

420
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 44
Mar 31, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican38
36 Yea 2
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Amendments
4
Apr 10, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 94)
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 36-0
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (2)
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (2)
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 90-1 with Floor Amendment (2)
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (5) and (6-title) filed
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (2), (3) and (4-title) filed
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
to Health Services (H)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 33-2 with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Committee
to Health Services (S)
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.