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AL HB349
Bill
Status
5/11/2023
Primary Sponsor
Danny Garrett
Click for details
AI Summary
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Licensed optometrists may independently administer vaccinations for influenza, herpes zoster, pneumococcus, and SARS-CoV-2 to individuals 18 years or older upon completing CDC-endorsed training and basic life support certification.
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Optometrists are prohibited from using the word "surgeon" in advertisements or signage for their practices.
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The Alabama Board of Optometry is established as a certifying board under the Alabama Controlled Substances Act, allowing limited prescribing authority for controlled substances as defined in Chapter 22 of Title 34.
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Expands the scope of optometric practice to include 16 specific procedures and treatments, including intense pulsed light therapy, fluorescein angiography, skin lesion removal near the eye, and Yttrium Aluminum Garnet laser procedures with appropriate training requirements.
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Maintains existing prohibitions on optometrists performing invasive surgeries including injections into the eyeball, cataract surgery, muscle surgery, retinal surgery, and refractive laser surgery.
Legislative Description
Relating to the Alabama Board of Optometry; to amend Section 34-22-1, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for the scope of practice of an optometrist; to add 34-22-20.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize optometrists to administer certain vaccinations in certain circumstances; to add Section 34-22-20.2 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to prohibit an optometrist from using "surgeon" in advertising; to add 34-22-40.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to establish the board as a certifying board under the Alabama Controlled Substances Act; to amend Section 20-2-2, Code of Alabama 1975, to include the Alabama Board of Optometry in the definition of certifying boards, with certain exceptions; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update existing code language to current style.
Board of Optometry, scope of practice
Last Action
Referred to Committee to Senate Healthcare
5/11/2023