Bill Summary: SB0870 (Public Act 099-0909)

• Removes the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 from the January 1, 2017 sunset date and instead schedules it for repeal on January 1, 2027.

• Schedules the Medical Practice Act of 1987 for repeal on December 31, 2017 rather than its previous sunset date.

• Expands optometrists' prescribing authority to include oral pharmaceutical agents (limited to 30 days for anti-glaucoma agents and 7 days for oral steroids) and establishes a Collaborative Optometric/Ophthalmological Task Force to develop requirements for advanced optometric procedures effective January 1, 2018.

• Modifies Medical Practice Act provisions regarding license renewal notification from requiring mailed notices to attempting to provide notices through electronic means.

• Adds confidentiality protections for Department investigation records while making formal complaints and disciplinary orders public records, and establishes procedures for negotiated consent orders in disciplinary proceedings.