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Bill > H1169

MA H1169

MA H1169
Ensuring consumer choice and equal access to eye care

summary

Introduced
01/23/2017
In Committee
05/29/2018
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018

Introduced Session

190th General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to allow optometrists to treat glaucoma and ocular abnormalities of the human eye and the adjoining and adjacent tissue. Public Health.

AI Summary

This bill aims to allow optometrists in Massachusetts to treat glaucoma and other ocular abnormalities, as well as prescribe all necessary eye-related medications, including oral anti-infective medications. Currently, Massachusetts is the only state where patients are denied the right to choose optometrists for their glaucoma care, despite optometrists in 49 other states successfully providing such care for over 40 years. The bill directs the Board of Registration in Optometry to determine the professional and educational requirements for optometrists to provide this expanded scope of practice, and requires optometrists to complete an approved educational program before utilizing the new authorities. The Department of Public Health and the Board of Registration in Optometry are also required to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within 90 days of the bill's effective date.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (44)

Jim Arciero (D),  Bruce Ayers (D),  Donnie Berthiaume (R),  Tony Cabral (D),  Dan Cahill (D),  Thomas Calter (D),  James Cantwell (D),  Gailanne Cariddi (D),  Tackey Chan (D),  William Crocker (R),  Diana Dizoglio (D),  James Dwyer (D),  Sean Garballey (D),  Susan Gifford (R),  Anne Gobi (D),  Carlos González (D),  Ken Gordon (D),  Danielle Gregoire (D),  Pat Haddad (D),  Sheila Harrington (R),  Bradford Hill (R),  Kate Hogan (D),  Hannah Kane (R),  Jay Kaufman (D),  Robert Koczera (D),  Stephen Kulik (D),  David Linsky (D),  Adrian Madaro (D),  John Mahoney (D),  Joe McGonagle (D),  Paul McMurtry (D),  Keiko Orrall (R),  Jerry Parisella (D),  Sarah Peake (D),  Elizabeth Poirier (R),  Dave Rogers (D),  Jeff Roy (D),  Tom Stanley (D),  Aaron Vega (D),  Dave Vieira (R),  Joseph Wagner (D),  Tom Walsh (D),  Bud Williams (D),  Donald Wong (R), 

Last Action

House concurred (on 05/31/2018)
(5 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H1169
Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H1169.pdf
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