AB 407 — Optometry: assistants and scope of practice.

Summary

Existing law prohibits any person, other than a physician and surgeon or optometrist, from measuring the powers or range of human vision or determining the accommodative and refractive status of the human eye or the scope of its functions in general or prescribing ophthalmic devices. Existing law provides that an assistant in any setting where optometry or ophthalmology is practiced who is acting under the direct responsibility and supervision of an ophthalmologist or optometrist may, among other things, perform tonometry and perform nonsubjective auto refraction in connection with subjective refraction procedures performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. This bill would permit such an assistant to perform nonsubjective auto refraction, to perform preliminary subjective refraction procedures in connection with finalizing subjective refraction procedures performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, subject to certain conditions, and to perform A scan and B scan ultrasound testing. Existing law, the Optometry Practice Act, establishes the California State Board of Optometry in the Department of Consumer Affairs for the licensure and regulation of the practice of optometry. Existing law provides that the practice of optometry includes various functions relating to the visual system and the treatment and management of certain disorders and dysfunctions of the visual system, as well as the provision of rehabilitative optometric services, and doing certain things, including, but not limited to, the examination of the human eye or eyes. Existing law further authorizes an optometrist who is certified to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, as specified, to diagnose and treat certain conditions including, among others, hypotrichosis and blepharitis. Existing law sets forth requirements for a certified optometrist to become certified in the administration of immunizations, as defined. Existing law specifies that a violation of the act is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment, as provided. This bill would revise what comprises the practice of optometry, including specific practices a certified optometrist may engage in, and would specify exceptions or limitations to that practice. The bill would permit a certified optometrist to use or prescribe topical and oral prescription and nonprescription therapeutic pharmaceutical agents that are not controlled substances and are not antiglaucoma agents or otherwise limited or excluded, as described. The bill would permit a certified optometrist to administer authorized immunizations after meeting the immunization certification requirements. By changing the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2544 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 1534 to be operative only if this bill and AB 1534 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. This bill would, contingent upon the enactment of AB 691, make additional changes to Section 3041 of the Business and Professions Code relating to the diagnostic use of certain laboratory tests or examinations for detecting the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to immunization certification, to be operative only if this bill and AB 691 are enacted.

Bill Text

• Chaptered 10/08/21 - Chaptered Current pdf October 08, 2021
• Enrolled 09/15/21 - Enrolled pdf September 15, 2021
• Amended 09/03/21 - Amended Senate pdf September 03, 2021
• Amended 07/07/21 - Amended Senate pdf July 07, 2021
• Amended 04/20/21 - Amended Assembly pdf April 20, 2021
• Introduced 02/03/21 - Introduced pdf February 03, 2021
• AB407 View text html

Action History

1. October 08, 2021

   Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 652, Statutes of 2021.

2. October 08, 2021

   Approved by the Governor.

3. September 22, 2021

   Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

4. September 10, 2021

   Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 3117.).

5. September 10, 2021

   From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (September 10).

6. September 09, 2021

   Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 3087.)

7. September 09, 2021

   Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.

8. September 08, 2021

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

9. September 08, 2021

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 2536.).

10. September 07, 2021

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

11. September 03, 2021

    Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

12. August 17, 2021

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

13. August 16, 2021

    From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

14. July 14, 2021

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (July 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

15. July 07, 2021

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D.

16. May 27, 2021

    Referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D.

17. May 13, 2021

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

18. May 13, 2021

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 1407.)

19. May 06, 2021

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

20. May 05, 2021

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (May 5).

21. April 28, 2021

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (April 27). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

22. April 21, 2021

    Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

23. April 20, 2021

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.

24. February 12, 2021

    Referred to Com. on B. & P.

25. February 04, 2021

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 6.

26. February 03, 2021

    Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Salas · Primary
• Low · Cosponsor

Votes

Subjects