Allows for the licensing of certified surgical first assistants to assist in surgeries through the department of health and a 7 member board of licensure.

# Summary of the Certified Surgical First Assistants Act

This bill would create a new licensing system in Rhode Island for **certified surgical first assistants** — professionals who work alongside surgeons during operations to help with tasks like holding tissue, controlling bleeding, and closing incisions. Currently, there is no specific state license for this role. The bill would establish formal requirements for education, training, and certification that individuals must meet before they can practice as surgical first assistants in Rhode Island.

To oversee this new licensing process, the bill would create a **seven-member board of licensure** operating under the Rhode Island Department of Health. This board would be responsible for reviewing applications, granting licenses, setting standards of practice, and handling any disciplinary actions if a licensed surgical first assistant violates the rules. The board would include professionals with relevant experience to ensure qualified oversight of the profession.

The bill affects several groups of people. Surgical first assistants who are already working in Rhode Island or who want to work there would need to obtain this new state license. Hospitals, surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities would need to ensure their surgical first assistants are properly licensed. For patients, the bill is designed to establish a baseline standard of qualifications for these professionals, aiming to ensure that anyone assisting in surgery meets consistent training and competency requirements.

The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee for review, which is the first step in the legislative process.