Struck = removed from the bill ·
added = the amendment's new text.
HB 349-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 7Jan2026...
2969h 7Jan2026...
0032h SESSION 25-0692 05/09 HOUSE BILL 349-FN AN ACT relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.
SPONSORS:
Kofalt,Layon, Hills.Rock.
32;13 September 29, 2025 2025-2969h 05/09 Amendment to HB 349-FN Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
Rep.3 1 Authorization to Perform Ophthalmic Laser Procedures.
Gregg, Hills.
7;
Rep.
Peternel, Carr.
6;
Rep.
Seidel, Hills.
29;
Sen.
Rochefort, Dist 1;
Sen.
Altschiller, Dist 24;
Sen.
Pearl, Dist 17;
Sen.
Ward, Dist 8;
Sen.
Prentiss, Dist 5 COMMITTEE:
Executive Departments and Administration ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ANALYSIS This bill authorizes optometrists who meet criteria established by the board of registration in optometry to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Explanation:
Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.] Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
HB 349-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 7Jan2026...
2969h 7Jan2026...
0032h 25-0692 05/09 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five AN ACT relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Authorization to Perform Ophthalmic Laser Procedures.
and (c) Outcome reporting requirements for such procedures performed by certificate holders;holders.
and (d) A means of identification and verification of optometrists certified to perform advanced procedures.
and (3) Demonstrate clinical proficiency in performing the specified ophthalmic laser procedure on a living human eye in the presence of, under the direct supervision of, and to the HB 349-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - satisfaction of a board-approved proctor.
The licensed applicant shall submit to the board Amendment to HB 349-FN - Page 2 - evidence of a minimum of 5 laser capsulotomy, 5 laser trabeculoplasty, and 4 laser peripheral iridotomy procedures performed with proficiency under proctored supervision.
VI.
Prior to any procedure permitted under paragraph I, the licensee shall obtain a patient- signed informed consent form that includes the nature of the procedure, known potential benefits and risks/complications, alternative treatment options, expected prognosis without treatment, and the provider's credentials.
The signed informed consent form shall remain part of the patient's medical record.
2 Effective Date.
This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBA 25-0692 1/14/26 HB 349-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENTS #2025-2969h and #2026-0032h) AN ACT relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
Estimated State Impact FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 Indeterminable Indeterminable Revenue $0 $0 Increase Increase Revenue Fund(s) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund Indeterminable Indeterminable Expenditures* $0 $0 Increase Increase ($10,000 to ($10,000 to $100,000) $100,000) Funding Source(s) Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:
This bill authorizes optometrists who meet criteria established by the Board of Registration in Optometry to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.
The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) states that the creation of new license types could lead to indeterminable additional costs between $10,000 to $100,000 for processing applications and may require third-party testing contracts for licensure examinations.
However, it could also generate additional revenue for the OPLC through fees.
Although the Office already has staff to handle licensing for the Board, it is impossible to determine how many optometrists will seek one or more of these new license types.
It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2026.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification