Legislative Update: S.B. 294 & NAPA’s Advocacy Efforts

I want to provide an update on S.B. 294, a bill introduced by Senator Edgar Flores and Assemblymember Reuben D’Silva that proposes significant reforms to PA practice in Nevada. This bill is based on the introduced version of AB 364 from the 2023 session and aims to modernize PA regulation by removing outdated supervision requirements and aligning PA practice with a team-based care model determined at the practice level.

Key Provisions of S.B. 294

• Removes physician supervision requirements, allowing team-based care decisions to be made at the practice level.
• Establishes a transition period for PAs with fewer than 4,000 hours of practice, requiring a collaborative agreement with a physician.
• Requires PAs who change specialties to enter into a collaborative agreement for a certain period (details of this provision are still being determined).
• Eliminates outdated regulatory barriers, including certain licensure testing/examination requirements.

This bill aligns with efforts to modernize PA practice seen in many states, including those in our region, where more flexible, practice-level, team-based care models have been adopted. These reforms help address provider shortages, improve patient access, and enable PAs to contribute more effectively within healthcare teams.

NAPA’s Advocacy & Refinements

S.B. 294 is a 208-page bill with extensive statutory revisions, primarily consisting of additions and deletions. NAPA is carefully reviewing the bill to ensure its primary message and intent are not overshadowed by its length and complexity. Our focus remains on ensuring that the legislation is clear, actionable, and beneficial to the PA profession in Nevada.

Next Steps & Member Engagement

As we continue working on this legislation, your input and advocacy will be crucial. We will share updates, including opportunities to participate in testimony or outreach efforts. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support in advancing the PA profession in Nevada.

Brian Lauf
President, Nevada Academy of PAs