(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, physicians and surgeons licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California may use or employ physician assistants provided (1) each physician assistant so used or employed is a graduate of an approved program and is licensed by the board, and (2) the scope of practice of the physician assistant is the same as that which is approved by the Division of Licensing of the Medical Board of California for physicians and surgeons supervising physician assistants in the same or similar specialty.
(b)
Any person who violates subdivision (a) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months,
or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
(c)
This section shall become operative on July 1, 2001.