� |
� |
� |
�
|
AN ACT
|
�
|
relating to a retired status license for an optometrist or |
�
|
therapeutic optometrist practicing voluntary charity care. |
�
|
�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
�
|
�������SECTION�1.��Subchapter F, Chapter 351, Occupations Code, is |
�
|
amended by adding Section 351.265 to read as follows: |
�
|
�������Sec.�351.265.��RETIRED STATUS.� (a)��The board by rule may |
�
|
allow a license holder to place the person's license on retired |
�
|
status. A license holder must apply to the board for retired |
�
|
status, on a form prescribed by the board, before the expiration |
�
|
date of the person's license. |
�
|
�������(b)��In determining whether to grant retired status, the |
�
|
board shall consider the age, years of practice, and status of the |
�
|
license holder at the time of the application. |
�
|
�������(c)��A license holder on retired status: |
�
|
�������������(1)��must pay a license renewal fee in an amount equal |
�
|
to the renewal fee for a license on inactive status; and |
�
|
�������������(2)��except as provided by Subsection (f), may not |
�
|
perform any activity regulated under this chapter. |
�
|
�������(d)��To reinstate a license placed on retired status, the |
�
|
license holder must submit a written request for reinstatement to |
�
|
the board. The board may return the license to active status and |
�
|
issue a renewal license if the license holder complies with any |
�
|
education or other requirement established by board rule and pays |
�
|
the renewal fee in effect at the time of the requested |
�
|
reinstatement. |
�
|
�������(e)��The board may charge a reasonable administrative fee to |
�
|
cover the cost of research and the preparation of documentation for |
�
|
the board's consideration of a request for reinstatement of a |
�
|
license on retired status. |
�
|
�������(f)��A license holder on retired status may perform an |
�
|
activity regulated under this chapter if the license holder's |
�
|
practice consists only of voluntary charity care, as defined by |
�
|
board rule.��The board's rules under this subsection must prescribe |
�
|
the scope of practice permitted for the license holder, the license |
�
|
holder's authority to prescribe and administer drugs, and any |
�
|
continuing education requirements applicable to the license |
�
|
holder. �The scope of practice of a license holder on retired status |
�
|
may not be greater than the scope of practice of the same license |
�
|
holder on active status. |
�
|
�������SECTION�2.��Subchapter G, Chapter 351, Occupations Code, is |
�
|
amended by adding Section 351.3065 to read as follows: |
�
|
�������Sec.�351.3065.��RENEWAL OF EXPIRED LICENSE BY RETIRED |
�
|
OPTOMETRIST OR THERAPEUTIC OPTOMETRIST. �The board may renew the |
�
|
license of a person whose license has been expired for one year or |
�
|
more without requiring the person to comply with the requirements |
�
|
and procedures for an original license if the person places the |
�
|
person's renewed license on retired status and confines the |
�
|
person's practice solely to voluntary charity care under Section |
�
|
351.265(f). |
�
|
�������SECTION�3.��Not later than December 1, 2009, the Texas |
�
|
Optometry Board shall adopt rules necessary to implement the |
�
|
changes in law made by this Act. |
�
|
�������SECTION�4.��(a) Section 351.265, Occupations Code, as added |
�
|
by this Act, applies to an application for retired status filed on |
�
|
or after January 1, 2010. |
�
|
�������(b)��Section 351.3065, Occupations Code, as added by this |
�
|
Act, applies to an application for renewal of an expired license |
�
|
filed on or after January 1, 2010. |
�
|
�������SECTION�5.��This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
� |
� |
� |
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
� |
���President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House����� |
� |
� |
�
|
�������I certify that H.B. No. 675 was passed by the House on April |
�
|
9, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
�
|
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
�
|
No. 675 on May 23, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 139, Nays 0, 1 |
�
|
present, not voting. |
�
|
|
�
|
______________________________ |
�
|
Chief Clerk of the House��� |
� |
�
|
�������I certify that H.B. No. 675 was passed by the Senate, with |
�
|
amendments, on May 21, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 31, Nays |
�
|
0. |
�
|
|
�
|
______________________________ |
�
|
Secretary of the Senate��� |
�
|
APPROVED: __________________ |
�
|
����������������Date������� |
�
|
� |
�
|
�������� __________________ |
�
|
��������������Governor������� |