SB 349

Bill Subjects

Abstract

The Optometry Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of optometry by the State Board of Optometry, and makes a violation of the act a crime. The act requires each licensed optometrist, before engaging in the practice of optometry, to notify the board in writing of the address or addresses where he or she is to engage in the practice of optometry and of any changes in his or her place of practice. Under existing law, all moneys collected pursuant to the act, except where otherwise provided, are deposited in the Optometry Fund and continuously appropriated to the board to carry out the act. This bill would define "mobile optometric facility" as mobile optometric equipment, including, but not limited to, a trailer or van that may be moved. The bill would limit ownership of a mobile optometric facility to a nonprofit or charitable organization, a governmental agency, or a school, as specified. The bill would require a mobile optometric facility, while providing services, to have access to, among other things, sufficient lighting around the perimeter of the work site from which the mobile optometric facility provides those services. The bill would require an owner of a mobile optometric facility to be responsible for certain things, including, but not limited to, maintaining the mobile optometric facility in good repair and in a clean and sanitary manner. The bill would also require the optometrist or owner of a mobile optometric facility to maintain and disclose patient records as specified. The bill would make these provisions operative on January 1, 2017. This bill would require the board, by January 1, 2017, to promulgate regulations establishing a registry for mobile optometric facilities and shall set a registration fee at an amount not to exceed the costs of administration. Because this bill would increase those moneys deposited in a continuously appropriated fund, it would make an appropriation. Because a violation of the act is a crime, this bill would expand the scope of an existing crime and would therefore 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.