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SF 3402 cleared to General Register to widen eligible public‑health medical consultants
Summary
The committee recommended Senate File 3402 to the General Register; the bill allows community health boards to contract with advanced practice providers and physician assistants as medical consultants, expanding the pool amid physician shortages, testimony said.
Senate File 3402, introduced on March 23, would expand the statutory definition of a community health-board medical consultant to include advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in addition to physicians.
Representative Virnig said the change aligns statutory language with current workforce realities and local public-health rules. Lisa Brodsky, Scott County public-health director, testified the shift is necessary because many community health boards struggle to recruit physicians to serve as consultants and advanced practice providers are qualified to provide clinical guidance on immunizations, communicable-disease response and maternal‑child health.
Committee members asked whether broadening eligibility reduces clinical oversight risk; Brodsky said the role requires appropriate clinical expertise and noted alignment with withdrawal management programs that already use advanced practice providers in consultant roles. The committee recommended SF 3402 to the General Register by voice vote.
