State

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert recently signed SB 162 repealing the state’s requirement for PAs to have all chart entries that contain a Schedule II or III prescription co-signed by a physician. This bill is the result of the outstanding advocacy work of the Utah Academy of PAs (UAPA) who championed the bill as their legislative priority for 2017.

PAs in Mississippi will have greater impact on combating the opioid epidemic in their state as a result of two new laws enacted in mid-March: H.B. 996 and H.B. 1032. Like many states, Mississippi is working to address increased abuse of prescription opioids and heroin.

Virginia’s 2017 legislative session made significant strides for PAs in the state. Specifically, Senate Bill 1062/House Bill 1910 which will become effective on July 1, 2017. The new law adds PAs to the definition of “mental health service providers” who have a duty to act when a patient threatens violence or serious harm to a third party.