summary
Introduced
02/06/2025
02/06/2025
In Committee
04/25/2025
04/25/2025
Crossed Over
04/24/2025
04/24/2025
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to optometry; amending s. 463.002, F.S.; providing and revising definitions; amending s. 463.003, F.S.; revising membership requirements for the Board of Optometry; providing construction; amending s. 463.005, F.S.; revising and providing rules to be implemented by the board; amending s. 463.0055, F.S.; revising requirements for the administration and prescription of ocular pharmaceutical agents; revising provisions relating to the topical and oral ocular pharmaceutical agent formularies established by the board; creating s. 463.0056, F.S.; authorizing an optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures to perform certain procedures; providing certification requirements; requiring the statewide professional association of physicians and statewide professional association of licensed optometrists to establish a joint committee who will be responsible for the development of the course and examination; providing requirements for the joint committee; excluding specified procedures; amending s. 463.006, F.S.; requiring a certified optometrist desiring to be licensed as a certified optometrist to submit to a background screening and successfully complete and pass a specified course and hb449 -03-e1examination; requiring the board to determine the required content, grading criteria, and passing score for such examination; revising the timeline in which an applicant may successfully pass the licensure examination; amending s. 463.007, F.S.; revising conditions of licensure to include the successful completion and passage of a specified course and examination; amending s. 463.0135, F.S.; providing authorized procedures a certified optometrist may perform in the standards of practice; defining the term "superficial foreign bodies"; requiring a licensed practitioner to display specified signs at his or her practice under certain circumstances; amending s. 463.014, F.S.; providing penalties; removing a provision prohibiting surgery of any kind; creating s. 463.0185, F.S.; authorizing specified titles and abbreviations for certified optometrists; creating s. 463.0187, F.S.; providing requirements for the demonstration of financial responsibility as a condition of licensure; providing applicability; amending s. 463.009, F.S.; expanding duties nonlicensed supportive personnel may perform under certain circumstances; defining the term "indirect supervision"; amending s. 641.31, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; providing an effective date. hb449 -03-e1
AI Summary
This bill expands the scope of practice for optometrists in Florida, making several significant changes to existing law. It redefines the terms related to optometry, updates the Board of Optometry's composition and rules, and provides new guidelines for certified optometrists. The bill allows certified optometrists to perform certain ophthalmic procedures and therapies after completing a specialized course and examination jointly developed by professional physician and optometrist associations. Specifically, certified optometrists can now remove superficial foreign bodies, perform limited procedures like probing tear ducts, and use certain medications, though they are still prohibited from more invasive surgeries. The bill also establishes new requirements for licensure, including mandatory background screening, successful completion of pharmacology courses, and passage of specific examinations. Additionally, the legislation introduces provisions for financial responsibility, requiring optometrists to maintain professional liability coverage or an escrow account. Starting July 1, 2025, all new optometrists must be licensed as certified optometrists, and practitioners will be required to use specific titles and display appropriate signage indicating their certification level. The bill aims to modernize optometry practice in Florida by expanding professional capabilities while maintaining patient safety through rigorous training and certification requirements.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Other Sponsors (2)
Health & Human Services Committee (H), Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee (H)
Last Action
Died in Rules (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
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