SB336 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.

• Defines telemedicine as health services delivered by a licensed optometrist using advanced telecommunications technology, including compressed digital video, clinical data transmission, and store-and-forward imaging.

• Establishes requirements for telemedicine practice including privacy notices compliant with federal standards (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164), provider-patient relationships with at least one prior face-to-face meeting, adequate security measures, and maintenance of patient records.

• Requires distant site providers to hold an active Alabama license, obtain complete medical histories, and ensure in-person evaluation when telemedicine cannot provide necessary clinical information.

• Repeals Section 34-22-88 as duplicative and becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.