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Florida scope expansion bill makes progress in House
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Legislation that would grant the Florida Board of Optometry sole authority in defining the practice of optometry and allow certified optometrists to perform certain laser and nonlaser procedures cleared the Florida Health Quality Subcommittee.
House Bill 1037 passed the subcommittee with a vote of 8 to 7 and will next be heard by the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, according to the Florida House of Representatives website.
An identical bill, Senate Bill 1168, was introduced in the Senate March 7.
Optometrists would be required to complete a board-approved course and examination to become certified in the procedures.
The bill’s language also deletes express prohibition against ophthalmic surgery procedures in the practice of optometry and restricts what a licensed practitioner may administer or prescribe if he or she does not complete a certain board-approved course and examination.