By Brimer H.B. No. 1182
76R5060 SMH-F
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the authorization of the performance of procedures
1-3 involving the use of lasers by therapeutic optometrists.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 1.02, Texas Optometry Act (Article
1-6 4552-1.02, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending
1-7 Subdivision (7) and adding Subdivision (11) to read as follows:
1-8 (7) The "practice of therapeutic optometry" means the
1-9 employment of objective or subjective means for the purpose of
1-10 ascertaining and measuring the powers of vision of the human eye,
1-11 examining and diagnosing visual defects, abnormal conditions, and
1-12 diseases of the human eye and adnexa, prescribing or fitting lenses
1-13 or prisms to correct or remedy a defect or abnormal condition of
1-14 vision, administering or prescribing a drug or physical treatment
1-15 in the manner authorized by this Act, and treating the eye and
1-16 adnexa as authorized by this Act without the use of surgery other
1-17 than [or] laser surgery.
1-18 (11) "Surgery" means a cutting procedure.
1-19 SECTION 2. Section 1.03, Texas Optometry Act (Article
1-20 4552-1.03, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by adding
1-21 Subsection (h) to read as follows:
1-22 (h) A therapeutic optometrist may perform procedures
1-23 involving the use of lasers, including laser surgery, on the eye
1-24 and adnexa.
2-1 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-2 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-3 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-4 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-5 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-6 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-7 passage, and it is so enacted.