Revision: April 21, 2022, 5:10 p.m.
HB 1139 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
15Mar2022... 0963h
04/21/2022 1527s
2022 SESSION
22-2226
11/10
HOUSE BILL 1139
AN ACT relative to ophthalmic prescription requirements.
SPONSORS: Rep. Veilleux, Hills. 22; Rep. Petrigno, Hills. 23; Rep. Labranche, Hills. 22
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill makes pupillary distance measurement information in prescriptions for eyeglasses to be made available to the eyeglasses wearer, upon request.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15Mar2022... 0963h
04/21/2022 1527s 22-2226
11/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two
AN ACT relative to ophthalmic prescription requirements.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Ophthalmic Dispensing; Definitions. Amend RSA 327-A:1, I to read as follows:
I. "Ophthalmic dispensing" means the design, verification, and delivery to the intended wearer of lenses, frames, and other specially fabricated optical devices upon prescription. It includes, but is not limited to, prescription analysis and interpretation; the taking of measurements, including the pupillary distance, to determine the size, shape, and specifications of the spectacle lenses, frames, or lens forms best suited to the wearer's needs; the preparation and delivery of work orders to laboratory technicians engaged in grinding lenses and fabricating eyewear; the verification of the quality of finished ophthalmic products, the adjustment of lenses or frames to the intended wearer's face; the delivery of such ophthalmic products including instruction in hygiene and insertion and removal of contact lenses; and the adjustment, replacement, and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic lenses, frames, contact lenses, or other specially fabricated ophthalmic devices. It does not include the alteration without permission of the prescriber of any prescriptions, nor does it include the fitting of contact lenses which may only be performed by ophthalmologists or optometrists pursuant to law regulating such practices, unless the ophthalmic dispenser is in possession of a statement of delegation authorizing the fitting of contact lenses.
2 New Section; Ophthalmic Dispensing; Pupillary Distance Measurement. Amend RSA 327-A by inserting after section 2 the following new section:
327-A:2-a Pupillary Distance Measurement. The pupillary distance measurement, if taken within the previous 24 months, shall be made available to the wearer upon request. Nothing shall prevent the ophthalmic dispenser, or their employer, from charging a fee for any ophthalmic dispensing services.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2023.