HB334 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code sections 34-22-80 through 34-22-87 to authorize the Alabama Board of Optometry to regulate the practice of optometry through telemedicine across state lines.

• Requires out-of-state optometrists providing services to Alabama patients to obtain a special purpose license, with limited exceptions for emergencies and infrequent practice (fewer than 10 times per year or 10 patients per year).

• Establishes requirements for telemedicine providers including written privacy notices compliant with federal standards (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164), security protocols, patient records maintenance, and provider-patient relationship standards.

• Mandates that distant site providers hold an active license in another state, maintain adequate medical histories, obtain patient acknowledgment of telemedicine risks and benefits, and refer patients for in-person evaluation when telemedicine cannot provide necessary clinical information.

• Repeals Section 34-22-88 as duplicative and becomes effective three months after passage; bill passed House on February 13, 2014 and Senate on April 1, 2014.