BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1253
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Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1253 (Steinorth) - As Amended April 8, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This bill increases standards for a retired volunteer
optometrist license, such that:
AB 1253
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1) An optometrist who has retired an active license between
three years and five years prior is eligible for a retired
volunteer optometrist license by completing additional
continuing education coursework.
2) An optometrist who has retired an active license five or
more years ago is eligible for a retired volunteer
optometrist license by meeting the same requirements that
apply to restoring a lapsed license, including retaking
relevant licensure exams.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Costs to the Board of Optometry (Board) are projected to be
minor and absorbable. Any increased workload would be funded by
commensurate fee revenue.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. This bill is cleanup language to SB 1215 (Emmerson),
Chapter 359, Statutes of 2012, described below. This bill is
sponsored by the Board to ensure high standards of optometry
care are provided even when an optometrist is providing
services on a volunteer basis. The Board states existing law
allows for the holder of a retired license to convert their
license to a retired volunteer license at any time, even if
their retired license is many years old, and have not
practiced optometry in several years. Furthermore, the Board
contends consumers have a reasonable expectation that an
optometrist who serves at a public health fair, for example,
is licensed and up to date on current practice.
AB 1253
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2)Prior Legislation. SB 1215 (Emmerson), Chapter 359, Statutes
of 2012, required the Board to issue a retired license to an
optometrist with an active license, prohibited the holder of a
retired license from engaging in the practice of optometry,
and authorized the holder of a retired license to reactive the
license if certain conditions were met.
The bill also required the board to issue a retired license
with a volunteer service designation to an optometrist with a
retired or current and active license, required the applicant
to certify completion of specified continuing education hours,
and established renewal procedures for that license
designation.
Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916)
319-2081