Revision: Jan. 7, 2025, 4:13 p.m.
HB 349-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0692
05/09
HOUSE BILL 349-FN
AN ACT relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.
SPONSORS: Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. Gregg, Hills. 7; Rep. Peternel, Carr. 6; Rep. Seidel, Hills. 29; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes optometrists who meet criteria established by the board of registration in optometry to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0692
05/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Authorization to Perform Ophthalmic Laser Procedures. Amend RSA 327 by inserting after section 6-c the following new section:
327:6-d Authorization to Perform Ophthalmic Laser Procedures.
I. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an optometrist licensed under this chapter shall be authorized to perform the following ophthalmic laser procedures upon certification by the board:
(a) Laser capsulotomy.
(b) Laser trabeculoplasty.
(c) Laser peripheral iridotomy.
II. The board shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A establishing the criteria for certification of an optometrist to perform ophthalmic laser procedures with proficiency, including:
?(a) Establishment of minimum education, training, and live experience requirements for a licensee to perform such procedures with proficiency;
(b) Criteria for requiring proctoring and criteria for proctors; and
(c) Outcome reporting requirements for such procedures performed by certificate holders.
III. No optometrist shall perform opthalmic laser procedures under this section unless the optometrist has submitted evidence of satisfactory completion of all requirements for specific procedures and the board has certified the optometrist as qualified.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
25-0692
12/18/24
HB 349-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000) | Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000) | Indeterminable Increase ($10,000 to $100,000) | ||
Funding Source(s) | Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill authorizes optometrists who meet criteria established by the Board of Registration in Optometry to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures. The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) states that the creation of new license types could lead to indeterminable additional costs between $10,000 to $100,000 for processing applications and may require third-party testing contracts for licensure examinations. However, it could also generate additional revenue for the OPLC through fees. Although the Office already has staff to handle licensing for the Board, it is impossible to determine how many optometrists will seek one or more of these new license types.
It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2025.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification