SB 440 is a legislative bill that seeks to update the regulation of optometry by amending various sections of RSA 327. The bill proposes changes such as renaming the regulatory board to the "board of optometry," updating definitions related to the practice of optometry, and repealing the joint credentialing committee. It includes insertions of new legal language, such as specifying the types of eye surgeries recognized under the law, and deletions, such as removing the term "registration in" from multiple instances. The bill clarifies the scope of optometry practice, including diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions, prescribing lenses and pharmaceutical agents, and the application of FDA-approved medical devices, while excluding certain ophthalmic surgeries except for preoperative and postoperative care.

Additionally, SB 440 revises language concerning telemedicine, therapeutic contact lenses, and the composition of the board of optometry. It updates licensing requirements for optometrists to prescribe pharmaceutical agents, including educational and examination prerequisites. The bill allows optometrists to prescribe hydrocodone in combination with analgesics under certain conditions and outlines the educational and co-management requirements for optometrists seeking authorization to treat glaucoma. The bill transfers the authority to approve the use of pharmaceutical agents by optometrists from the "joint credentialing committee" to the "board," requires out-of-state businesses selling contact lenses to register with the board of pharmacy or the board of optometry, updates the rulemaking authority, revises continuing education requirements, repeals RSA 327:6-b, and specifies that the act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 310:2, 318:9-a, 318-B:41, 327:1, 327:2, 327:6-c, 327:20, 327:25-a, 327:31, 327:33-a, 327:6-b
As Amended by the Senate: 310:2, 318:9-a, 318-B:41, 327:1, 327:2, 327:6-c, 327:20, 327:25-a, 327:31, 327:33-a, 327:6-b