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S 248

Relates to defining community significant projects and including such projects in the excelsior jobs program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Luis Sepúlveda

Mass. S.248 licenses surgical assistants, requires direct supervision by licensed MD/DO or podiatrist, 38 hours CE, board enforcement, waivers and grandfathering to ease gaps.

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Bill Summary · S 248

Summary — S.248 (2025): "An Act Regulating Surgical Assistants" (Massachusetts)

Main purpose

S.248 establishes a statutory licensing and regulatory framework for surgical assistants in Massachusetts. The bill creates registration/licensing requirements, a supervising board with enforcement powers, education and continuing‑education standards, and limited grandfathering and waiver provisions to address workforce needs.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: Adds new Sections 243–246 to Chapter 111 and defines terms including “board” (Board of Registration in Surgical Assistants), “surgical assistant,” “surgical assisting,” “surgical facility,” and “health care practitioner.”
  • Licensing requirement: Surgical facilities may not employ or retain a person to perform surgical assisting unless that person is licensed by the board.
  • Supervision: Surgical assistants must work under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor of medicine (MD), osteopathy (DO) or podiatry.
  • Scope & allowance for other practitioners: Nothing prohibits registered nurses or other licensed health care practitioners from performing surgical assistant tasks if acting within their existing scope of practice.
  • Waiver authority: The department may grant temporary waivers (up to 3 months, renewable) for individuals who do not meet licensing requirements under special circumstances; criteria to be set by the department with clinician input.
  • Board powers/duties: The board may promulgate regulations, approve/deny licenses, set renewal procedures, retain records, discipline licensees (fines, suspension, revocation, probation, reprimand), summarily suspend licenses posing imminent danger (with a hearing within 7 days), and set continuing‑licensure standards.
  • Licensing eligibility:
    • Minimum age 18 and good moral character.
    • Credential from one of: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA), or National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) — or
    • Completion of a surgical assistant training program while serving in U.S. armed forces — or
    • Grandfather clause: at least 1 year of experience as a surgical assistant in Massachusetts and practiced within 12 months prior to July 1, 2023, if registered with the Board by July 1, 2026.
  • Fees: Original and renewal fees set by the Secretary of Administration and Finance.
  • Continuing education: Renewal requires attestation of 38 hours of CE directly related to surgical assisting from recognized providers; licensees must keep records for 4 years; random audits possible; noncompliance may result in discipline. (Text truncated; bill allows for extensions/other board authorities.)

Who is affected

  • Surgical assistants (current and prospective) — will need to obtain and maintain a state license.
  • Surgical facilities (hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, physicians’ offices) — must ensure assistants are licensed or hold a valid waiver.
  • Surgeons and supervising physicians — required to employ licensed assistants and oversee practice.
  • Registered nurses and other licensed practitioners — may continue to perform applicable functions within their scopes.
  • State agencies — department and new board will administer licensing, waivers, audits and disciplinary actions.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced in the 194th General Court (presented by Sen. John F. Keenan); filed January 16/24, 2025 (document lists Jan 24, 2025 as introduction).
  • Hearing on record: scheduled for 06/11/2025 (per provided actions).
  • Important statutory deadlines for applicants: practice-in-place grandfathering requires registration by July 1, 2026; the grandfathering reference point is July 1, 2023.
  • Some text was truncated in the supplied version; final bill language could add or clarify renewal/extension and other administrative provisions.

Potential impacts

  • Professionalizes and standardizes surgical assisting, likely increasing patient-safety oversight and accountability.
  • May impose compliance and administrative costs on facilities and individuals to meet licensing, CE, and record‑keeping requirements.
  • Temporary waiver and grandfathering provisions intend to mitigate short‑term workforce disruptions.

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

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