UNAPPROVED DRAFT BILL -- Subject to Change Without Notice!
BILL NO.
INTRODUCED BY
(Primary Sponsor)
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING THE SCOPE OF THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY; DELETING THE EXCLUSION OF SURGERY; ALLOWING THE BOARD OF OPTOMETRY TO ADOPT RULES DEFINING THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE REGARDING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 37-10-101 AND 37-10-202, MCA."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 37-10-101, MCA, is amended to read:
"37-10-101. Definitions -- practice of optometry. (1) The practice of optometry is the profession constituting the art and science of visual care and includes any one of the following acts:
(a) the optometric examination or optometric diagnosis of all of those physiological or anatomical parts or functions that consummate the process of human vision to ascertain the presence of abnormal conditions or functions that may be optometrically diagnosed, corrected, remedied, or relieved;
(b) the employment of any optometric means, excluding the use of surgery, for the purpose of detecting any condition of
the process of vision that may have any significance in a complete optometric eye and vision examination, including the
employment and administration of drugs topically applied for examination purposes, limited to cycloplegics, mydriatics,
topical anesthetics, dyes such as fluorescein, and for emergency use only, miotics;
(c) the application or prescription of ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, prisms, orthoptics, visual training, and any
physical, mechanical, or physiological therapy and the furnishing or application of any prosthetic or therapeutic devices for
the correction or relief of visual anomalies, excluding surgery;
(d) the administration, dispensation, and prescription of the oral analgesics codeine, propoxyphene, hydrocodone, and
dihydrocodeine, alone or in combination with nonscheduled or nonregulated drugs; and
(e) the administration, dispensation, and prescription of those topical drugs approved by the board for use in ocular
treatment limited to the anterior segment of the eye and adnexa. Glaucoma may not be treated.
(d) the employment, administration, dispensation, and prescription of drugs as authorized by the board by rule; and
(e) other acts as may be authorized by the board by rule in conformity with this section.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prohibit an optometrist from removing from the eye or adnexa a foreign body that is not intraocular.
(3) Unless the context requires otherwise, in this chapter:
(a) "board" means the board of optometry provided for in 2-15-1846; and
(b) "department" means the department of commerce provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 18."
Section 2. Section 37-10-202, MCA, is amended to read:
"37-10-202. Rulemaking power -- seal. (1) The board may adopt rules for the regulation, conduct, supervision, and procedure governing all applicants for certificates of registration as optometrists and the practice of optometry not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) The board shall, by rule, define the practice of optometry, including the employment, administration, dispensation, and prescription of drugs allowed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The rules of the board defining the practice of optometry must consider and reflect the course of study and the extent of training currently being provided by accredited schools of optometry.
(3) The board shall have a common seal."
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Status of this Bill
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