(a) Licensed orthopedic physician assistants shall be under the jurisdiction of the committee on physician assistants created by § 63-19-103 and the board of medical examiners.

(b) The committee on physician assistants has the duty to:

(1) Promulgate, in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, all rules that are reasonably necessary for the performance of the duties of orthopedic physician assistants, including, but not limited to, rules that specify the acts and offenses that subject the license holder to disciplinary action by the committee pursuant to subdivision (b)(7);

(2) Set fees relative to the examination, licensure and licensure renewal of orthopedic physician assistants in an amount sufficient to pay all of the expenses of the committee, as well as all of the expenses of the board that are directly attributable to the performance of its duties pursuant to this part and to establish and collect a late renewal fee from those orthopedic physician assistants who fail to renew their licenses in a timely manner;

(3) Review and approve or reject the qualifications of each applicant for initial licensure as an orthopedic physician assistant;

(4) Biennially review and approve or reject the qualifications of each applicant for biennial licensure renewal. The committee shall condition approval for renewal on the receipt of evidence satisfactory to the committee of the applicant's successful completion of sixty (60) hours of continuing medical education approved by the American Medical Association or other appropriate professional association. The committee may, in its discretion, waive or modify the continuing medical education requirement in cases of retirement, illness, disability or other undue hardship;

(5) Issue, in the board's name, all approved orthopedic physician assistant licenses and renewals;

(6) Collect or receive all fees, fines and moneys owed pursuant to this part and pay the fees, fines and moneys into the general fund of the state. For the purpose of implementing subdivision (b)(2), all fees, fines and moneys collected pursuant to the regulation of orthopedic physician assistants shall be so designated; and

(7) Deny, suspend or revoke the license of, or otherwise discipline by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or by reprimand, a license holder who is guilty of violating any provisions of this part or who is guilty of violating the rules of the board promulgated pursuant to subdivision (b)(1). When sanctions are imposed on a licensee pursuant to this subdivision (b)(7), the licensee may, in addition, be required to pay the actual and reasonable costs of the investigation and prosecution of the case, including the costs incurred and assessed for the time of the prosecuting attorney or attorneys, the investigator or investigators and any other persons involved in the investigation, prosecution and hearing of the case. The committee may limit, restrict or impose one (1) or more conditions on a license at the time it is issued, renewed or reinstated or as a sanction imposed at the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing.

(c) The governor shall appoint one (1) certified orthopedic physician assistant to serve as a voting member of the committee on physician assistants with regard to all matters that pertain to orthopedic physician assistants. Each person appointed to this seat on the committee shall serve a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment. A vacancy in this position shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term.

(d) Any actions taken under this section shall only be effective after adoption by majority vote of the members of the committee on physician assistants and after adoption by a majority vote of the members of the board of medical examiners at the next board meeting at which administrative matters are considered following the adoption by the committee.

(e) For the purposes of this part, unless the context requires otherwise, “physician” means a person lawfully licensed to practice orthopedic medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 6 of this title, osteopathic medicine pursuant to chapter 9 of this title, or podiatry pursuant to chapter 3 of this title.