Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 285 · 2025 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Renaming physician assistant to associate

AI-generated

relative to changing the term "physician assistant" to "physician associate."

Updates state laws to change the title "physician assistant" to "physician associate" without making substantive changes to the underlying law.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 18, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill updates the laws to reflect the title change of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" but makes clear that no substantive change to any law is being made by this update.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“As of the effective date of this section, the title of "physician assistant" in New Hampshire is changed to "physician associate." This change is not intended to change any rights or privileges of those who have been or continue to hold themselves out to be a "physician assistant" and anywhere in the law that says, "physician associate" shall also mean "physician assistant." II.”
RSA 328-D:19
“Any person who, not being licensed or otherwise authorized according to the law of this state, shall advertise oneself or hold oneself out as a physician assistant, physician associate, or PA, or any person who does such act after receiving notice that such person's license has been revoked, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
RSA 328-D:13
“This name change shall not alter, affect, or impact any billing, reimbursement, or payment policies currently in place for physician assistants.”
RSA 328-D:19
“All billing practices, insurance reimbursement policies, and agreements that apply to physician assistants shall continue to apply in the same manner to physician associates.”
RSA 328-D:19

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David RochefortRPrimeChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Sen. Pat LongD, Rep. Peter SchmidtD, Rep. Jess EdwardsR

Public testimony

55 signed in online · 14 wrote testimony

82% support18% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We as a profession are simply aiming to follow the name of our governing body, the American Academy of Physician Associates. This does nothing to change any scope of practice within the state..”
— Daniel Frazee, Auburnsupports
“I just wanted to take a moment to write to you in support of SB285 relative to the title change from "Physician Assistant" to "Physician Associate". I have been practicing in Community Health in Manchester for the last 22 years.…”
— Kristin Schmidt, Manchestersupports
“PAs are not assistants to physicians, we are advanced practice providers trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat our patients independently! Our name should reflect that.…”
— Alexandra Clough, Concordsupports
“The nomenclature for health care professionals has become very confusing to the public. Physician Assistant: clearly states the person's role in health care. This person is NOT a physician.…”
— Richard Johnson, Dunbartonopposes
“I oppose implementing work requirements in a blanket fashion as each case has its own unique circumstances.”
— Margaret Trainor, Nashuaopposes
“We have an opportunity to stand by diversity, equity and inclusion. This is archaic and embarrassing. Everyone deserves basic human dignity, even when it comes to something as simple as using a bathroom.”
— Jennifer Vincent, Salemopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 19, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration2:51–4:201m 29slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floor4:58:19–5:03:315m 12slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — failed, voice vote; Sen. McGough Moved Ought to Pass
  • Apr 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:11:49–1:17:125m 23slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1623h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1623h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floor24:23–25:0946slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 3
  2. Mar 19, 2025SenHearing: 03/19/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12
  3. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/27/2025, Vote 4-1, CC SC 14
  4. Mar 27, 2025SenSB 285 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  5. Mar 27, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MF, VV; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  6. Mar 27, 2025SenSen. McGough Moved Ought to Pass; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenSen. McGough Floor Amendment # 2025-1374s, AA, VV; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1374s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  9. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 11 P. 113
  10. Apr 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2025 01:45 pm LOB 306-308
  11. Apr 16, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/16/2025 01:45 pm LOB 306-308
  12. Apr 17, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1623h 04/17/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 22 P. 9
  13. May 1, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1623h: AA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 6
  14. May 1, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1623h: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 6
  15. May 8, 2025SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  16. Jun 5, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 167
  17. Jun 5, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  18. Jun 17, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/17/2025; Chapter 0105
  19. Jan 1, 2027SenI. Sections 7 & 8 Effective 01/01/2027
  20. Jun 17, 2025SenII. Remainder Effective 06/17/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.