summary
Introduced
02/26/2025
02/26/2025
In Committee
02/26/2025
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 updates South Carolina's optometry regulations by introducing a new restricted volunteer license for out-of-state optometrists and modifying existing statutes governing optometric practice. The new volunteer license allows qualified optometrists from other states to provide free medical services in specific clinics, treating only uninsured or financially ineligible patients, with strict supervision requirements including monthly case reviews by a fully licensed South Carolina optometrist. The bill expands the legal definition of optometry, clarifies the scope of optometric practice, and places additional restrictions on prescribing medications, such as limiting analgesic prescriptions to a seven-day supply and requiring collaboration with ophthalmologists for extended topical steroid treatments. The legislation also updates board membership requirements, examination standards, and provides continued practice provisions for optometrists licensed before 2013. Additionally, the bill includes optometrists with special volunteer licenses in provisions related to medical malpractice and volunteer healthcare provider liability, and repeals an existing section regarding pharmaceutical sales by optometrists.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (62)
Bobby Cox (R)*,
Lucas Atkinson (D),
William Bailey (R),
Nathan Ballentine (R),
Heather Bauer (D),
Thomas Beach (R),
Beth Bernstein (D),
Phillip Bowers (R),
Joe Bustos (R),
Paula Calhoon (R),
Micah Caskey (R),
Don Chapman (R),
Neal Collins (R),
Shannon Erickson (R),
Cal Forrest (R),
Stephen Frank (R),
Craig Gagnon (R),
Kambrell Garvin (D),
Gil Gatch (R),
Doug Gilliam (R),
Jerry Govan (D),
Val Guest (R),
Brandon Guffey (R),
Bill Hager (R),
Kevin Hardee (R),
Bill Herbkersman (R),
Bill Hixon (R),
Harriet Holman (R),
Lonnie Hosey (D),
Leon Howard (D),
Jeff Johnson (R),
Jay Kilmartin (R),
Roger Kirby (D),
Kathy Landing (R),
Brian Lawson (R),
Randy Ligon (R),
Josiah Magnuson (R),
Ryan McCabe (R),
Annie McDaniel (D),
Tim McGinnis (R),
Cody Mitchell (R),
Scott Montgomery (R),
J.A. Moore (D),
Travis Moore (R),
Timothy Morgan (R),
Brandon Newton (R),
Melissa Oremus (R),
Luke Rankin (R),
Michael Rivers (D),
Seth Rose (D),
Blake Sanders (R),
Mark Smith (R),
Tiffany Spann-Wilder (D),
Bill Taylor (R),
David Vaughan (R),
Courtney Waters (D),
David Weeks (D),
Spencer Wetmore (D),
Joe White (R),
Paul Wickensimer (R),
Chris Wooten (R),
Richie Yow (R),
Last Action
House L.C.I. Regulatory Review Subcommittee (00:00:00 2/10/2026 Blatt Room 403) (on 02/10/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4103&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4103_20250604.htm |
| Fiscal Note - H4103 2025-02-26 Introduced | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/fiscalimpactstatements/H4103%202025-02-26%20introduced.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4103_20250226.htm |
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