Legislative
Bills in the 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The MSO supports the following bills:
SD.1538/HD.413 - An Act Relative to Updating the Licensure of Optometrists
Sponsor(s): Sen. Michael O. Moore (D), Worcester/Rep. Tackey Chan (D), Norfolk
Summary: Updates the 1934 definition of Optometry in the Statutes.
SD.591 - An Act to Close the Achievement Gap by Addressing Disparities in Children's Vision
Sponsor: Sen. Michael O. Moore (D), Worcester
Summary: Adds new Sections 238 and 238A to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to establish and regulate a children’s vision and eye health advisory council within the Department of Public Health.
The MSO is closely following these bills related to optometry:
HD.928 - An Act Relative to Prescription EyewearSponsor: Rep. Marcus S. Vaughn (R), Norfolk
Summary: This bill mandates that any licensed physician or optometrist issuing prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses in Massachusetts must include the patient's pupillary distance (PD) on the script. Importantly, no additional fees can be charged for this requirement.
"Not-a-doctor" bills are legislative proposals that aim to restrict or prohibit certain healthcare professionals, such as optometrists, from using the title "doctor" or being referred to as physicians. Several bills have been introduced in Massachusetts that include language of concern to the MSO. These types of legislation not only disrespects the extensive education and training of optometrists but also poses risks to patient care by creating confusion and limiting access to qualified eye care professionals. The MSO works to oppose these bills and protect the professional status of optometrists in Massachusetts, but we need your support to continue the fight!