The Government Operations & Military Affairs committee voted a favorable-funds recommendation on an amendment to S.64 that would expand the Board of Optometry from five to seven members, add an ophthalmologist seat and require one optometrist board member to hold an advanced therapeutic-procedure specialty beginning Jan. 1, 2031; legislative counsel also told the panel Medicaid coverage would apply if services are provided by participating optometrists.

The Ways & Means panel examined S.64, which would expand the practice of optometry to allow certain surgeries, lasers and injections under an "advanced therapeutic procedures" specialty, add reporting and training requirements, and require a Medicaid state-plan amendment for reimbursement when services are provided by optometrists.

The Senate Government Operations & Military Affairs committee took testimony on S64, which would create an "advanced therapeutic procedures" specialty authorizing certain optometrists to perform an enumerated set of lasers, injections and limited eyelid surgeries; supporters cited training and access gains, opponents warned of insufficient surgical training and patient‑safety risks.

Testimony to the Government Operations & Military Affairs committee said Senate Bill 64 would expand optometrists’ authority for certain procedures, injections and brief controlled-substance prescriptions (up to 72 hours for hydrocodone combinations) and includes additional training, preceptorships and reporting requirements; supporters said it will improve rural access while members pressed on training, malpractice and emergency limits.

The Senate Health & Welfare committee opened hearings on S.64, which would add an advanced therapeutic procedure specialty to optometry law, expand certain in‑office laser and injection procedures for trained optometrists, and require specified training, examination and reporting safeguards. OPR and optometry advocates said training and data support the change; senators pressed for clearer oversight and geographic access measures.

OPR endorses legislation enabling optometrists to perform advanced procedures with updated training criteria

H.241 broadens optometric procedures to include various therapeutic injections during emergencies.