PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS: Provides relative to physician assistants

This bill updates Louisiana laws governing physician assistants by renaming the profession to "physician associate associate" and establishing an advisory committee to guide the State Board of Medical Examiners on licensing and regulation matters. The new advisory committee will include three physician associate associates appointed by the governor, with at least one member required to practice in a rural area with fewer than 20,000 people. Key provisions define supervision requirements, allowing physician associates to practice under a supervising physician's direction without needing physical presence as long as they can communicate via phone or other telecommunications. The legislation also modernizes existing statutes to clarify definitions, licensure requirements, and the board's authority while maintaining the requirement that physician associates work under physician supervision.