HB5800 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 28546 AMQ 40423 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5800

Introduced 11/16/2022, by Rep. Robert Rita

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 80/16

from Ch. 111, par. 3916

Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Provides that beginning April 1, 2024, all continuing education may be completed online through live, real-time presentations or by pre-recorded video provided by an approved continuing education sponsor. Provides that an approved continuing education sponsor is a person, firm, association, corporation, or another entity that has been recommended by the Illinois Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board to coordinate and present continuing education courses or programs and approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 is amended by changing Section 16 as follows:

(225 ILCS 80/16) (from Ch. 111, par. 3916)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 16. Renewal, reinstatement, or restoration of licenses; military service. The expiration date and renewal period for each license issued under this Act shall be set by rule.

All renewal applicants shall provide proof of having met the requirements of continuing education set forth in the rules of the Department. The Department shall, by rule, provide for an orderly process for the reinstatement of licenses which have not been renewed due to failure to meet the continuing education requirements. The continuing education requirement may be waived for such good cause, including, but not limited to, illness or hardship, as defined by rules of the Department.

The Department shall establish by rule a means for the verification of completion of the continuing education required by this Section. This verification may be accomplished through audits of records maintained by registrants; by requiring the filing of continuing education certificates with the Department; or by other means established by the Department.

Beginning April 1, 2024, all continuing education, except for certified courses or transcript quality courses that meet the requirements of 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1320.80(b)(2)(A), may be completed online through live, real-time presentations or by pre-recorded video provided by an approved continuing education sponsor. An approved continuing education sponsor is a person, firm, association, corporation, or another entity that has been recommended by the Board to coordinate and present continuing education courses or programs and approved by the Department.

Any licensee seeking renewal of his or her license during the renewal cycle beginning April 1, 2008 must first complete a tested educational course in the use of oral pharmaceutical agents for the management of ocular conditions, as approved by the Board.

Any optometrist who has permitted his or her license to expire or who has had his or her license on inactive status may have his or her license restored by making application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department of his or her fitness to have his or her license restored and by paying the required fees. Such proof of fitness may include evidence certifying to active lawful practice in another jurisdiction and must include proof of the completion of the continuing education requirements specified in the rules for the preceding license renewal period that has been completed during the 2 years prior to the application for license restoration.

The Department shall determine, by an evaluation program established by rule, his or her fitness for restoration of his or her license and shall establish procedures and requirements for such restoration.

However, any optometrist whose license expired while he or she was (1) in Federal Service on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, or the State Militia called into service or training, or (2) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have his or her license restored without paying any lapsed renewal fees if within 2 years after honorable termination of such service, training, or education, he or she furnishes the Department with satisfactory evidence to the effect that he or she has been so engaged and that his or her service, training, or education has been so terminated.

All licenses without "Therapeutic Certification" on March 31, 2006 shall be placed on non-renewed status and may only be renewed after the licensee meets those requirements established by the Department that may not be waived. All licensees on March 31, 2010 without a certification of completion of an oral pharmaceutical course as required by this Section shall be placed on non-renewed status and may only be renewed after the licensee meets those requirements established by the Department that may not be waived.

(Source: P.A. 95-242, eff. 1-1-08; 96-270, eff. 1-1-10.)