Senate Bill 659 Summary

• Changes optometry license renewal deadline from January 1 to December 31 each year, with late renewal fees and March 31 deadline before practice becomes unauthorized.

• Increases optometry examination and license fees: general optometry examination from $800 to $1,000, and general renewal from $300 to $500; adds new provisional license fees of $300 and $100 for renewals.

• Requires optometrists to report medical malpractice judgments, awards, and settlements of $75,000 or more to the Board within 30 days using certified mail, designated delivery, or email.

• Creates new reporting requirement for licensed optometrists to report sexual misconduct, drug diversion, and controlled substance theft within 30 days, with immunity for good faith reports and penalties for bad faith reports.

• Establishes new registration process for dispensing optometrists allowing them to dispense legend and prescription drugs (but not controlled substances) to their own patients, with a $75 annual registration fee.