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Bill Summary · SF 1084

Summary of SF 1084 — Physician assistant title modification to physician associate

Overview

SF 1084 proposes changing the title used for the profession currently referred to as “physician assistant” to “physician associate” in applicable Minnesota statutes and regulations. The bill is part of the 94th Legislature (2025–2026). A companion bill exists in the House as HF 88.

Purpose and intent

  • Primary aim: Replace the professional designation “physician assistant” with “physician associate” in statutory and regulatory references.
  • The change is focused on nomenclature; the summary provided does not indicate alterations to scope of practice, education requirements, licensure qualifications, or authority of practitioners beyond the title change.

Key provisions (as indicated)

  • Rename references from “physician assistant” to “physician associate” in statutes and regulatory texts administered by state health and labor-related agencies.
  • Align terminology across relevant departments and divisions, including the Health and Human Services framework and related labor/employment regulatory bodies (as suggested by the subject classification).

Note: The full text is not provided here, so the summary reflects the identified purpose and likely scope based on the bill’s title and classification.

Affected parties and systems

  • Practitioners formerly recognized as physician assistants.
  • Licensing boards and credentialing bodies that reference the title in regulations, forms, and public communications.
  • Employers, healthcare facilities, and professional organizations that use the term in documentation, billing, and branding.
  • Patients and the public who interact with the profession through healthcare services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction: February 6, 2025.
  • First reading: February 6, 2025.
  • Referred to: Health and Human Services (committee).
  • Legislative action noted: February 24, 2025 – Author added Hoffman.
  • Status: Author added Hoffman (indicating a sponsorship or authorship update during the session).
  • Companion: HF 88 (House companion).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Administrative/operational: Agencies and licensees would need to update forms, websites, signage, licensing documentation, and official guidance to reflect the new title.
  • Branding and communications: Transition messaging would be needed to minimize confusion among employers, insurers, and the public.
  • Practice and scope: The summary does not indicate changes to clinical scope, supervision, education requirements, or authority; if the bill is limited to terminology, the practical impact on practice may be minimal beyond nomenclature.
  • Transitional provisions: Not specified here; future version of the bill may include effective dates or transition rules.

Related information

  • Companion bill: HF 88 (House).
  • Related committees: Health and Human Services (involvement suggested by the referral).

For readers seeking more detail, the next steps would be to review the bill text, fiscal notes, and committee materials as they become available, to confirm any additional provisions, transitional language, or effective dates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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