Bill > SF2852

This bill modifies the legal definition and scope of practice for optometrists in Minnesota by updating existing statutes. The bill expands optometrists' abilities by clarifying their professional capabilities, which include advertising as an optometrist, measuring vision using various testing devices, diagnosing eye-related conditions, prescribing corrective lenses and contact lenses, performing ocular exercises, and prescribing certain legend (regulated) drugs to manage eye-related conditions. The bill specifically limits optometrists' drug and treatment capabilities, prohibiting intravenous or intramuscular drug administration (except for anaphylaxis treatment), invasive surgical procedures, prescribing certain strong oral medications like Schedule II and III drugs and steroids, limiting oral antiviral prescriptions to ten days, and restricting oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor prescriptions to seven days. Notably, the bill adds a new provision defining "surgery" by referencing the most recent definitions established by the American Medical Association and American College of Surgeons, which provides a standardized interpretation of surgical procedures within the optometry practice scope.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2852&ssn=0&y=2025