SB 776: Optometry.

The bill aims to extend the operation of the state board of optometry and its authority until January 1, 2030. The board's maximum permitted reserve balance in the optometry fund will increase to 24 months of operating expenses. The bill also increases the minimum and maximum fees for various optometric services. Registered dispensing opticians will have their powers and duties revised, with only spectacle lens dispensers allowed to fit and adjust lenses and take facial measurements. Contact lens dispensers will still be allowed to fit contact lenses. The bill introduces a probationary registration option for applicants, requiring them to complete a clinical training program. Applicants must provide a valid email address, which will not be considered a public record. The bill expands the definition of a dispensing ophthalmic business to include entities offering optical services to the…