Bill

Bill > S0393


SC S0393

SC S0393
Optometrists


summary

Introduced
02/26/2025
In Committee
02/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

126th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 40-37-35 So As To Provide The State Board Of Examiners In Optometry May Issue Restricted Volunteer Member Licenses To Optometrists From Other States Who Meet Certain Criteria, And To Provide Requirements For The Supervision, Duration, And Regulation Of Such Licenses, Among Other Things; By Amending Section 40-37-10, Relating To Membership Requirements For The South Carolina Board Of Examiners In Optometry, So As To Provide Additional Membership Requirements; By Amending Section 40-37-20, Relating To Definitions Concerning The Regulation Of Optometrists, So As To Revise The Definitions; By Amending Section 40-37-30, Relating To Licensing Requirements For The Practice Of Optometry, So As To Provide Additional Activities That Constitute The Practice Of Optometry; By Amending Section 40-37-40, Relating To Powers And Duties Of The Board, So As To Provide The Board Shall Require Licensed Optometrists To Meet Educational And Competence Requirements Established By The Board; By Amending Section 40-37-245, Relating To Examination Requirements For Licensure By Endorsement, So As To Allow Examination Equivalents As Determined By The Board; By Amending Section 40-37-290, Relating To The Purchasing, Prescribing, And Administering Pharmaceutical Agents By Optometrists, So As To Revise The Requirements And Limit The Permissible Use Of Such Medications, Among Other Things; By Amending Section 40-37-310, Relating To Referrals For Treatment Of Eye Diseases, So As To Remove Provisions Concerning The Treatment Of Glaucoma And Provision Of Surgery; By Amending Section 40-37-330, Relating To Use Of Optometrists' Services Authorized For Agency And School-required Examinations, So As To Provide Optometrists May Provide Vision Or Eye Care Services At A School If Approved By The Administration Of The Individual School; By Amending Section 40-37-420, Relating To Practice Requirements Concerning Certain Licensees, So As To Delete The Existing Provisions, To Provide Persons Licensed As Optometrists In This State May Continue Practicing Under Certain Requirements Except That Such Persons Licensed Before January 1, 2013, Must Fulfill Credentialing Requirements To Perform Certain Treatments; By Amending Section 38-79-30, Relating To Provisions Limiting Liability For Volunteer Healthcare Providers Under Medical Malpractice Insurance Laws, So As To Remove A Provision Concerning Notice Requirements To Patients, And To Include Optometrists Among The Volunteers Included In These Provisions; By Amending Section 44-30-310, Relating To Immunity From Liability For Free Healthcare Services, So As To Include Volunteer Optometrists; And By Repealing Section 40-37-300 Relating To Establishing Pharmacies Or Selling Pharmaceutical Agents, And Dispensing Contact Lenses.

AI Summary

This bill modifies South Carolina's laws regarding optometry, introducing several key changes. It creates a new restricted volunteer license for out-of-state optometrists, which allows qualified professionals to practice in specific clinics treating uninsured patients without direct compensation, subject to strict supervision and renewal requirements. The bill revises the definition of optometry to include more detailed descriptions of practice scope, surgical limitations, and potential treatments. It updates board membership requirements, expanding eligibility criteria for licensed optometrists serving on the State Board of Examiners in Optometry. The legislation also places new restrictions on pharmaceutical prescriptions by optometrists, limiting the types and quantities of medications they can prescribe, and prohibits most surgical procedures. Additionally, the bill clarifies referral protocols for complex eye treatments and allows optometrists to provide vision services in schools with administrative approval. Notably, the bill maintains a pathway for existing optometrists to continue practicing while potentially requiring additional credentialing for those licensed before 2013 who want to perform certain advanced procedures. The changes aim to modernize optometry practice standards, enhance patient care, and provide more structured professional guidelines for optometrists in South Carolina.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (16)

Last Action

Scrivener's error corrected (on 06/04/2025)

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