Bill > S2278

This bill aims to ensure consumer choice and equal access to eye care. The key provisions include: 1. Expanding the definition of "practice of optometry" to include the diagnosis, prevention, correction, management, or treatment of optical deficiencies, deformities, visual anomalies, and ocular diseases and abnormalities, including the use of pharmaceutical agents and other optical aids. 2. Allowing registered optometrists who are qualified by examination and certified to use and prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, including those in schedules III, IV, V, and VI, for the purpose of diagnosing, preventing, correcting, managing, or treating glaucoma and other ocular abnormalities. However, optometrists are prohibited from using invasive surgical procedures, administering injections, or prescribing opioid substances. 3. Establishing an examination administered by the Board of Registration in Optometry to qualify optometrists to use and prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents. The bill also provides provisions for optometrists licensed in other jurisdictions and those who have completed postgraduate residency programs to satisfy the examination requirements. 4. Requiring optometrists licensed under this bill to participate in state or federal patient safety and medical error reduction reporting and data collection efforts.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Public Health (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2278