HB1251

House Bill 1251, titled the 'Arkansas Anesthesiologist Assistant Act,' establishes a formal framework for the licensure and regulation of anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) in Arkansas. It grants the Arkansas State Medical Board the authority to license, oversee, and discipline these professionals. The bill defines an anesthesiologist assistant as a graduate of an accredited program who operates under the direct supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist. It mandates that any supervising anesthesiologist and assistant enter into a written, board-filed protocol detailing the assistant's duties and emergency procedures. The legislation explicitly outlines the scope of practice for AAs, which includes tasks such as administering anesthesia, performing airway interventions, managing patient monitoring systems, and placing vascular lines. All duties must remain within the scope of practice of the supervising anesthesiologist, who must be present on-site.