MS SB2040

Amends Section 37-135-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, to remove the requirement that Mississippi students attending out-of-state colleges of optometry through the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) contract program must return to Mississippi to practice after graduation.

Applies to all Mississippi residents attending any college of optometry outside the state's boundaries on or after January 1, 2011, who received financial assistance under the SREB contract program.

Notes that Mississippi was the only SREB participating state that required students to return to practice in-state after graduation, and the original 1973 contract had no such requirement for the first 18 years.

Effective date is July 1, 2014.