99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB6166

 

Introduced 2/11/2016, by Rep. Anna Moeller

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
See Index

    Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2027. Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Requires applicants or licensees to inform the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of any change of address within 14 days after the change. Removes language limiting the practice of optometry to examination, diagnosis, and treatment without the use of surgery. Instead, excludes certain ophthalmic procedures from the scope of practice of optometry, except for the preoperative and postoperative care of the procedures. Allows members of the Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board to be reimbursed for certain expenses. Limits the liability of members of the Board in certain circumstances. Provides that ocular pharmaceutical agents may be administered by injection in certain circumstances. Removes the requirement that the Department list all persons whose licenses have been suspended or revoked. Provides that any fine imposed under the Act shall be payable within 60 days after the effective date of the order. Provides that the Department shall (rather than may) refuse to issue or suspend a license of licensees who fail to pay taxes. Removes requirements of written reports at the conclusions of hearings. Allows parties to agree to a negotiated consent order. Removes certain requirements concerning hearing officers. Removes provisions requiring the Secretary to explain deviations from Board recommendations. Adds provisions concerning confidentiality of certain information collected by the Department. Makes other changes. Effective immediately, except that certain provisions concerning injections and surgery are effective January 1, 2017.


LRB099 20424 SMS 44921 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB6166LRB099 20424 SMS 44921 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing
5Section 4.27 and adding 4.37 as follows:
 
6    (5 ILCS 80/4.27)
7    Sec. 4.27. Acts repealed on January 1, 2017. The following
8are repealed on January 1, 2017:
9    The Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987.
10    The Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act.
11    The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repairer Regulation Act.
12    Articles II, III, IV, V, VI, VIIA, VIIB, VIIC, XVII, XXXI,
13XXXI 1/4, and XXXI 3/4 of the Illinois Insurance Code.
14(Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)
 
15    (5 ILCS 80/4.37 new)
16    Sec. 4.37. Act repealed on January 1, 2027. The following
17Act is repealed on January 1, 2027:
18    The Optometric Practice Act of 1984.
 
19    Section 10. The Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 is
20amended by changing the title of the Act and Sections 3, 9, 10,
2111, 14, 15.1, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26.2, 26.6, 26.7, 26.8, 26.15,

 

 

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1and 27 and by adding Sections 9.5 and 30 as follows:
 
2    (225 ILCS 80/3)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3903)
3    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
4    Sec. 3. Practice of optometry defined; referrals;
5manufacture of lenses and prisms.
6    (a) The practice of optometry is defined as the employment
7of any and all means for the examination, diagnosis, and
8treatment of the human visual system, the human eye, and its
9appendages without the use of surgery, including, but not
10limited to: the appropriate use of ocular pharmaceutical
11agents; refraction and other determinants of visual function;
12prescribing corrective lenses or prisms; prescribing,
13dispensing, or management of contact lenses; vision therapy;
14visual rehabilitation; or any other procedures taught in
15schools and colleges of optometry approved by the Department,
16and not specifically restricted in this Act, subject to
17demonstrated competency and training as required by the Board,
18and pursuant to rule or regulation approved by the Board and
19adopted by the Department.
20    A person shall be deemed to be practicing optometry within
21the meaning of this Act who:
22        (1) In any way presents himself or herself to be
23    qualified to practice optometry.
24        (2) Performs refractions or employs any other
25    determinants of visual function.

 

 

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1        (3) Employs any means for the adaptation of lenses or
2    prisms.
3        (4) Prescribes corrective lenses, prisms, vision
4    therapy, visual rehabilitation, or ocular pharmaceutical
5    agents.
6        (5) Prescribes or manages contact lenses for
7    refractive, cosmetic, or therapeutic purposes.
8        (6) Evaluates the need for, or prescribes, low vision
9    aids to partially sighted persons.
10        (7) Diagnoses or treats any ocular abnormality,
11    disease, or visual or muscular anomaly of the human eye or
12    visual system.
13        (8) Practices, or offers or attempts to practice,
14    optometry as defined in this Act either on his or her own
15    behalf or as an employee of a person, firm, or corporation,
16    whether under the supervision of his or her employer or
17    not.
18        The following ophthalmic surgery procedures are
19    excluded from the scope of practice of optometry, except
20    for the preoperative and postoperative care of these
21    procedures:
22            (i) Surgery using a laser.
23            (ii) Penetrating keratoplasty, corneal transplant,
24        or lamellar keratoplasty.
25            (iii) The administration of general anesthesia.
26            (iv) Surgery done with general anesthesia.

 

 

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1            (v) Laser or non-laser injection into the vitreous
2        chamber of the eye to treat any macular or retinal
3        disease.
4            (vi) Surgery related to removal of the eye from a
5        living human being.
6            (vii) Surgery requiring full thickness incision or
7        excision of the cornea or sclera other than
8        paracentesis in an emergency situation requiring
9        immediate reduction of the pressure inside the eye.
10            (viii) Surgery requiring incision of the iris and
11        ciliary body, including iris diathermy or cryotherapy.
12            (ix) Surgery requiring incision of the vitreous.
13            (x) Surgery requiring incision of the retina.
14            (xi) Surgical extraction of the crystalline lens.
15            (xii) Surgical intraocular implants.
16            (xiii) Incisional or excisional surgery of the
17        extraocular muscles.
18            (xiv) Surgery of the eyelid for suspect eyelid
19        malignancies or for incisional cosmetic or mechanical
20        repair of blepharochalasis, ptosis, and tarsorrhaphy.
21            (xv) Surgery of the bony orbit, including orbital
22        implants.
23            (xvi) Incisional or excisional surgery of the
24        lacrimal system other than lacrimal probing or related
25        procedures.
26            (xvii) Surgery requiring full thickness

 

 

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1        conjunctivoplasty with graft or flap.
2            (xviii) Any surgical procedure that does not
3        provide for the correction and relief of ocular
4        abnormalities.
5            (xix) Injection or incision into the eyeball.
6            (xx) Retrobulbar or intraorbital injection.
7            (xxi) Surgery requiring suturing.
8    Nothing in this Section shall be interpreted (A) (i) to
9prevent a person from functioning as an assistant under the
10direct supervision of a person licensed by the State of
11Illinois to practice optometry or medicine in all of its
12branches or (B) (ii) to prohibit visual screening programs that
13are conducted without a fee (other than voluntary donations),
14by charitable organizations acting in the public welfare under
15the supervision of a committee composed of persons licensed by
16the State of Illinois to practice optometry or persons licensed
17by the State of Illinois to practice medicine in all of its
18branches.
19    (b) When, in the course of providing optometric services to
20any person, an optometrist licensed under this Act finds an
21indication of a disease or condition of the eye which in his or
22her professional judgment requires professional service
23outside the scope of practice as defined in this Act, he or she
24shall refer such person to a physician licensed to practice
25medicine in all of its branches, or other appropriate health
26care practitioner. Nothing in this Act shall preclude an

 

 

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1optometrist from rendering appropriate nonsurgical emergency
2care.
3    (c) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit a
4person from manufacturing ophthalmic lenses and prisms or the
5fabrication of contact lenses according to the specifications
6prescribed by an optometrist or a physician licensed to
7practice medicine in all of its branches, but shall
8specifically prohibit (1) the sale or delivery of ophthalmic
9lenses, prisms, and contact lenses without a prescription
10signed by an optometrist or a physician licensed to practice
11medicine in all of its branches and (2) the dispensing of
12contact lenses by anyone other than a licensed optometrist,
13licensed pharmacist, or a physician licensed to practice
14medicine in all of its branches. For the purposes of this Act,
15"contact lenses" include, but are not limited to, contact
16lenses with prescriptive power and decorative and plano power
17contact lenses. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the sale
18of contact lenses by an optical firm or corporation primarily
19engaged in manufacturing or dealing in eyeglasses or contact
20lenses with an affiliated optometrist who practices and is
21licensed or has an ancillary registration for the location
22where the sale occurs.
23    (d) Nothing in this Act shall restrict the filling of a
24prescription by a pharmacist licensed under the Pharmacy
25Practice Act.
26    (e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict the

 

 

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1dispensing and sale by an optometrist of ocular devices, such
2as contact lenses, that contain and deliver ocular
3pharmaceutical agents permitted for use or prescription under
4this Act.
5(Source: P.A. 98-186, eff. 8-5-13.)
 
6    (225 ILCS 80/9)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3909)
7    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
8    Sec. 9. Definitions. In this Act:
9        (1) "Department" means the Department of Financial and
10    Professional Regulation.
11        (2) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and
12    Professional Regulation.
13        (3) "Board" means the Illinois Optometric Licensing
14    and Disciplinary Board appointed by the Secretary.
15        (4) "License" means the document issued by the
16    Department authorizing the person named thereon to
17    practice optometry.
18        (5) (Blank).
19        (6) "Direct supervision" means supervision of any
20    person assisting an optometrist, requiring that the
21    optometrist authorize the procedure, remain in the
22    facility while the procedure is performed, approve the work
23    performed by the person assisting before dismissal of the
24    patient, but does not mean that the optometrist must be
25    present with the patient, during the procedure. For the

 

 

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1    dispensing of contact lenses, "direct supervision" means
2    that the optometrist is responsible for training the person
3    assisting the optometrist in the dispensing or sale of
4    contact lenses, but does not mean that the optometrist must
5    be present in the facility where he or she practices under
6    a license or ancillary registration at the time the
7    contacts are dispensed or sold.
8        (7) "Address of record" means the designated address
9    recorded by the Department in the applicant's application
10    file or the licensee's license file maintained by the
11    Department's licensure maintenance unit.
12(Source: P.A. 98-186, eff. 8-5-13.)
 
13    (225 ILCS 80/9.5 new)
14    Sec. 9.5. Change of address. It is the duty of the
15applicant or licensee to inform the Department of any change of
16address within 14 days after such change either through the
17Department's website or by contacting the Department's
18licensure maintenance unit.
 
19    (225 ILCS 80/10)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3910)
20    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
21    Sec. 10. Powers and duties of Department; rules; report.
22The Department shall exercise the powers and duties prescribed
23by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois for the
24administration of Licensing Acts and shall exercise such other

 

 

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1powers and duties necessary for effectuating the purpose of
2this Act.
3    The Secretary shall promulgate Rules consistent with the
4provisions of this Act, for the administration and enforcement
5thereof and may prescribe forms that shall be issued in
6connection therewith. The rules shall include standards and
7criteria for licensure and certification, and professional
8conduct and discipline.
9    The Department shall consult with the Board in promulgating
10rules. Notice of proposed rulemaking shall be transmitted to
11the Board and the Department shall review the Board's responses
12and any recommendations made therein. The Department shall
13notify the Board in writing with explanations of deviations
14from the Board's recommendations and responses. The Department
15may solicit the advice of the Board on any matter relating to
16the administration and enforcement of this Act.
17(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
18    (225 ILCS 80/11)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3911)
19    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
20    Sec. 11. Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board. The
21Secretary shall appoint an Illinois Optometric Licensing and
22Disciplinary Board as follows: Seven persons who shall be
23appointed by and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the
24Secretary. Five members must be lawfully and actively engaged
25in the practice of optometry in this State, one member shall be

 

 

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1a licensed optometrist, with a full-time faculty appointment
2with the Illinois College of Optometry, and one member must be
3a member of the public who shall be a voting member and is not
4licensed under this Act, or a similar Act of another
5jurisdiction, or have any connection with the profession.
6Neither the public member nor the faculty member shall
7participate in the preparation or administration of the
8examination of applicants for licensure.
9    Members shall serve 4-year terms and until their successors
10are appointed and qualified. No member shall be appointed to
11the Board for more than 2 successive 4-year terms, not counting
12any partial terms when appointed to fill the unexpired portion
13of a vacated term. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made
14in the same manner as original appointments, for the unexpired
15portion of the vacated term.
16    The Board shall annually elect a chairperson and a
17vice-chairperson, both of whom shall be licensed optometrists.
18    The membership of the Board should reasonably reflect
19representation from the geographic areas in this State.
20    A majority of the Board members currently appointed shall
21constitute a quorum. A vacancy in the membership of the Board
22shall not impair the right of a quorum to perform all of the
23duties of the Board.
24    The Secretary may terminate the appointment of any member
25for cause.
26    The members of the Board shall be reimbursed for all

 

 

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1authorized legitimate and necessary expenses incurred in
2attending the meetings of the Board.
3    Members of the Board shall have no liability in any action
4based upon any disciplinary proceeding or other activity
5performed in good faith as a member of the Board.
6    The Secretary shall give due consideration to all
7recommendations of the Board, and in the event that the
8Secretary disagrees with or takes action contrary to the
9recommendation of the Board, he or she shall provide the Board
10with a written and specific explanation of this action. None of
11the functions, powers or duties of the Department with respect
12to policy matters relating to licensure, discipline, and
13examination, including the promulgation of such rules as may be
14necessary for the administration of this Act, shall be
15exercised by the Department except upon review of the Board.
16    Without, in any manner, limiting the power of the
17Department to conduct investigations, the Board may recommend
18to the Secretary that one or more licensed optometrists be
19selected by the Secretary to conduct or assist in any
20investigation pursuant to this Act. Such licensed optometrist
21may receive remuneration as determined by the Secretary.
22(Source: P.A. 96-270, eff. 1-1-10.)
 
23    (225 ILCS 80/14)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3914)
24    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
25    Sec. 14. A person shall be qualified for initial licensure

 

 

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1as an optometrist if that person has applied in writing in form
2and substance satisfactory to the Department and who:
3    (1) (blank) has not been convicted of any of the provisions
4of Section 24 of this Act which would be grounds for discipline
5under this Act;
6    (2) has graduated, after January 1, 1994, from a program of
7optometry education approved by the Department or has
8graduated, prior to January 1, 1994, and has met substantially
9equivalent criteria established by the Department;
10    (3) (blank); and
11    (4) has met all examination requirements including the
12passage of a nationally recognized examination authorized by
13the Department. Each applicant shall be tested on theoretical
14knowledge and clinical practice skills.
15(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
16    (225 ILCS 80/15.1)
17    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
18    Sec. 15.1. Diagnostic and therapeutic authority.
19    (a) For purposes of the Act, "ocular pharmaceutical agents"
20means topical anesthetics, topical mydriatics, topical
21cycloplegics, topical miotics and mydriatic reversing agents,
22anti-infective agents, anti-allergy agents, anti-glaucoma
23agents (except oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, which may be
24prescribed only in a quantity sufficient to provide treatment
25for up to 72 hours), anti-inflammatory agents (except oral

 

 

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1steroids), over-the-counter agents, analgesic agents, anti-dry
2eye agents, and agents for the treatment of hypotrichosis.
3    (a-3) In addition to ocular pharmaceutical agents that fall
4within the categories set forth in subsection (a) of this
5Section, the Board may add a pharmaceutical agent approved by
6the FDA or class of agents for the purpose of the diagnosis or
7treatment of conditions of the eye and adnexa after
8consideration of the agent's systemic effects, side effects,
9and the use of the agent within the practice of optometry. The
10Board shall consider requests for additional agents and make
11recommendations within 90 days after the receipt of the
12request.
13    Within 45 days after the Board's recommendation to the
14Department of a pharmaceutical agent or class of agents, the
15Department shall promulgate rules necessary to allow for the
16prescribing or administering of the pharmaceutical agent or
17class of agents under this Act.
18    (a-5) Ocular pharmaceutical agents may be administered by
19subcutaneous, subconjunctival, and intramuscular injections by
20an optometrist who meets the educational requirements
21established by the Department by rule. Intravenous injections
22are permitted for fluorescein angiography only. Retrobulbar,
23intraocular, and botulinum injections are not permitted
24administered by injection may be used only for the treatment of
25anaphylaxis.
26    (a-10) Oral pharmaceutical agents may be prescribed for a

 

 

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1child under 5 years of age only in consultation with a
2physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches.
3    (a-15) The authority to prescribe a Schedule III, IV, or V
4controlled substance shall include analgesic agents only in a
5quantity sufficient to provide treatment for up to 72 hours.
6The prescription of a Schedule II controlled substance is
7prohibited, except for Dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) with one
8or more active, non-narcotic ingredients only in a quantity
9sufficient to provide treatment for up to 72 hours, and only if
10such formulations of Dihydrocodeinone are reclassified as
11Schedule II by federal regulation.
12    (b) A licensed optometrist may remove superficial foreign
13bodies from the human eye and adnexa and may give orders for
14patient care to a nurse licensed to practice under Illinois
15law.
16    (c) An optometrist's license shall be revoked or suspended
17by the Department upon recommendation of the Board based upon
18either of the following causes:
19        (1) grave or repeated misuse of any ocular
20    pharmaceutical agent; and
21        (2) the use of any agent or procedure in the course of
22    optometric practice by an optometrist not properly
23    authorized under this Act.
24    (d) The Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation
25shall notify the Director of Public Health as to the categories
26of ocular pharmaceutical agents permitted for use by an

 

 

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1optometrist. The Director of Public Health shall in turn notify
2every licensed pharmacist in the State of the categories of
3ocular pharmaceutical agents that can be utilized and
4prescribed by an optometrist.
5(Source: P.A. 97-170, eff. 7-22-11; 98-1111, eff. 8-26-14.)
 
6    (225 ILCS 80/18)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3918)
7    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
8    Sec. 18. Endorsement. The Department may, in its
9discretion, license as an optometrist, without examination on
10payment of the required fee, an applicant who is so licensed
11under the laws of another state or U.S. jurisdiction of the
12United States and has no disciplinary action taken against his
13or her license in any jurisdiction. The Department may issue a
14license, upon payment of the required fee and recommendation of
15the Board, to an individual applicant who is licensed in any
16foreign country or province whose standards, in the opinion of
17the Board or Department, if the requirements for licensure in
18the jurisdiction in which the applicant was licensed, were, at
19the date of his or her licensure, substantially equivalent to
20the requirements then in force in this State; or if the
21applicant possesses individual qualifications and skills which
22demonstrate substantial equivalence to current Illinois
23requirements.
24    Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to
25complete the application process. If the process has not been

 

 

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1completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee
2forfeited and the applicant must reapply and meet the
3requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
4(Source: P.A. 89-702, eff. 7-1-97.)
 
5    (225 ILCS 80/20)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3920)
6    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
7    Sec. 20. Fund. All moneys received by the Department
8pursuant to this Act shall be deposited in the Optometric
9Licensing and Disciplinary Board Fund, which is hereby created
10as a special fund in the State Treasury, and shall be used for
11the administration of this Act, including: (a) by the Board and
12Department in the exercise of its powers and performance of its
13duties, as such use is made by the Department with full
14consideration of all recommendations of the Board; (b) for
15costs directly related to license renewal of persons licensed
16under this Act; and (c) for direct and allocable indirect costs
17related to the public purposes of the Department of Financial
18and Professional Regulation. Subject to appropriation, moneys
19in the Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board Fund may be
20used for the Optometric Education Scholarship Program
21administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
22pursuant to Section 65.70 of the Higher Education Student
23Assistance Act.
24    Moneys in the Fund may be transferred to the Professions
25Indirect Cost Fund as authorized under Section 2105-300 of the

 

 

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1Department of Professional Regulation Law (20 ILCS
22105/2105-300).
3    Money in the Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board
4Fund may be invested and reinvested, with all earnings received
5from such investment to be deposited in the Optometric
6Licensing and Disciplinary Board Fund and used for the same
7purposes as fees deposited in such fund.
8(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
9    (225 ILCS 80/21)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3921)
10    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
11    Sec. 21. The Department shall maintain a roster of the
12names and addresses of all licensees and of all persons whose
13licenses have been suspended or revoked. This roster shall be
14available upon written request and payment of the required fee.
15(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
16    (225 ILCS 80/24)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3924)
17    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
18    Sec. 24. Grounds for disciplinary action.
19    (a) The Department may refuse to issue or to renew, or may
20revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other
21disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may
22deem appropriate, including fines not to exceed $10,000 for
23each violation, with regard to any license for any one or
24combination of the causes set forth in subsection (a-3) of this

 

 

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1Section. All fines collected under this Section shall be
2deposited in the Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board
3Fund. Any fine imposed shall be payable within 60 days after
4the effective date of the order imposing the fine.
5    (a-3) Grounds for disciplinary action include the
6following:
7        (1) Violations of this Act, or of the rules promulgated
8    hereunder.
9        (2) Conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty to any
10    crime under the laws of any U.S. jurisdiction thereof that
11    is a felony or that is a misdemeanor of which an essential
12    element is dishonesty, or any crime that is directly
13    related to the practice of the profession.
14        (3) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of
15    obtaining a license.
16        (4) Professional incompetence or gross negligence in
17    the practice of optometry.
18        (5) Gross malpractice, prima facie evidence of which
19    may be a conviction or judgment of malpractice in any court
20    of competent jurisdiction.
21        (6) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any
22    provision of this Act or rules.
23        (7) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in
24    response to a written request made by the Department that
25    has been sent by certified or registered mail to the
26    licensee's last known address.

 

 

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1        (8) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or
2    unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive,
3    defraud, or harm the public.
4        (9) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol,
5    narcotics, stimulants or any other chemical agent or drug
6    that results in the inability to practice with reasonable
7    judgment, skill, or safety.
8        (10) Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or
9    foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the
10    discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those
11    set forth herein.
12        (11) Violation of the prohibition against fee
13    splitting in Section 24.2 of this Act.
14        (12) A finding by the Department that the licensee,
15    after having his or her license placed on probationary
16    status has violated the terms of probation.
17        (13) Abandonment of a patient.
18        (14) Willfully making or filing false records or
19    reports in his or her practice, including but not limited
20    to false records filed with State agencies or departments.
21        (15) Willfully failing to report an instance of
22    suspected abuse or neglect as required by law.
23        (16) Physical illness, including but not limited to,
24    deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor
25    skill, mental illness, or disability that results in the
26    inability to practice the profession with reasonable

 

 

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1    judgment, skill, or safety.
2        (17) Solicitation of professional services other than
3    permitted advertising.
4        (18) Failure to provide a patient with a copy of his or
5    her record or prescription in accordance with federal law.
6        (19) Conviction by any court of competent
7    jurisdiction, either within or without this State, of any
8    violation of any law governing the practice of optometry,
9    conviction in this or another State of any crime that is a
10    felony under the laws of this State or conviction of a
11    felony in a federal court, if the Department determines,
12    after investigation, that such person has not been
13    sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.
14        (20) A finding that licensure has been applied for or
15    obtained by fraudulent means.
16        (21) Continued practice by a person knowingly having an
17    infectious or contagious disease.
18        (22) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated
19    report by the Department of Children and Family Services
20    under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and
21    upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the
22    licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or a
23    neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected
24    Child Reporting Act.
25        (23) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name
26    other than the full name as shown on his or her license.

 

 

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1        (24) Immoral conduct in the commission of any act, such
2    as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct or sexual exploitation,
3    related to the licensee's practice.
4        (25) Maintaining a professional relationship with any
5    person, firm, or corporation when the optometrist knows, or
6    should know, that such person, firm, or corporation is
7    violating this Act.
8        (26) Promotion of the sale of drugs, devices,
9    appliances or goods provided for a client or patient in
10    such manner as to exploit the patient or client for
11    financial gain of the licensee.
12        (27) Using the title "Doctor" or its abbreviation
13    without further qualifying that title or abbreviation with
14    the word "optometry" or "optometrist".
15        (28) Use by a licensed optometrist of the word
16    "infirmary", "hospital", "school", "university", in
17    English or any other language, in connection with the place
18    where optometry may be practiced or demonstrated unless the
19    licensee is employed by and practicing at a location that
20    is licensed as a hospital or accredited as a school or
21    university.
22        (29) Continuance of an optometrist in the employ of any
23    person, firm or corporation, or as an assistant to any
24    optometrist or optometrists, directly or indirectly, after
25    his or her employer or superior has been found guilty of
26    violating or has been enjoined from violating the laws of

 

 

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1    the State of Illinois relating to the practice of
2    optometry, when the employer or superior persists in that
3    violation.
4        (30) The performance of optometric service in
5    conjunction with a scheme or plan with another person, firm
6    or corporation known to be advertising in a manner contrary
7    to this Act or otherwise violating the laws of the State of
8    Illinois concerning the practice of optometry.
9        (31) Failure to provide satisfactory proof of having
10    participated in approved continuing education programs as
11    determined by the Board and approved by the Secretary.
12    Exceptions for extreme hardships are to be defined by the
13    rules of the Department.
14        (32) Willfully making or filing false records or
15    reports in the practice of optometry, including, but not
16    limited to false records to support claims against the
17    medical assistance program of the Department of Healthcare
18    and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid)
19    under the Illinois Public Aid Code.
20        (33) Gross and willful overcharging for professional
21    services including filing false statements for collection
22    of fees for which services are not rendered, including, but
23    not limited to filing false statements for collection of
24    monies for services not rendered from the medical
25    assistance program of the Department of Healthcare and
26    Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) under

 

 

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1    the Illinois Public Aid Code.
2        (34) In the absence of good reasons to the contrary,
3    failure to perform a minimum eye examination as required by
4    the rules of the Department.
5        (35) Violation of the Health Care Worker Self-Referral
6    Act.
7    The Department shall may refuse to issue or may suspend the
8license of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the
9tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any
10final assessment of the tax, penalty or interest, as required
11by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of
12Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax
13Act are satisfied.
14    (a-5) In enforcing this Section, the Board or Department,
15upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any
16individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has
17applied for licensure or certification pursuant to this Act, to
18submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as
19required by and at the expense of the Department. The examining
20physicians or clinical psychologists shall be those
21specifically designated by the Department Board. The Board or
22the Department may order the examining physician or clinical
23psychologist to present testimony concerning this mental or
24physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No
25information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or
26statutory privilege relating to communications between the

 

 

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1licensee or applicant and the examining physician or clinical
2psychologist. Eye examinations may be provided by a licensed
3optometrist. The individual to be examined may have, at his or
4her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present
5during all aspects of the examination. Failure of any
6individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when
7directed, shall be grounds for suspension of a license until
8such time as the individual submits to the examination if the
9Board or Department finds, after notice and hearing, that the
10refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable
11cause.
12    If the Board or Department finds an individual unable to
13practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the
14Board or Department shall require such individual to submit to
15care, counseling, or treatment by physicians or clinical
16psychologists approved or designated by the Department Board,
17as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated,
18or renewed licensure to practice, or in lieu of care,
19counseling, or treatment, the Board may recommend to the
20Department to file a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke,
21or otherwise discipline the license of the individual, or the
22Board may recommend to the Department to file a complaint to
23suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline the license of the
24individual. Any individual whose license was granted pursuant
25to this Act, or continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined, or
26supervised, subject to such conditions, terms, or

 

 

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1restrictions, who shall fail to comply with such conditions,
2terms, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary for
3a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or
4her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the
5Board.
6    (b) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is
7subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as
8provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
9Code operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will
10end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no
11longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission
12and issues an order so finding and discharging the patient; and
13upon the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the
14licensee be allowed to resume his or her practice.
15(Source: P.A. 99-43, eff. 1-1-16.)
 
16    (225 ILCS 80/26.2)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3926.2)
17    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
18    Sec. 26.2. Investigation; notice. The Department may
19investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or
20persons holding or claiming to hold a license. The Department
21shall, before suspending, revoking, placing on probationary
22status, or taking any other disciplinary action as the
23Department may deem proper with regard to any license, at least
2430 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify the
25accused in writing of any charges made and the time and place

 

 

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1for a hearing of the charges before the Board, direct him or
2her to file his or her written answer to the Board under oath
3within 20 days after the service on him or her of the notice
4and inform him or her that if he or she fails to file an answer
5default will be taken against him or her and his or her license
6may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or
7have other disciplinary action, including limiting the scope,
8nature or extent of his or her practice, as the Department may
9deem proper taken with regard thereto. The Such written notice
10and any notice in the subsequent proceeding may be served by
11personal delivery or by regular or certified delivery or
12certified or registered mail to the applicant's or licensee's
13address of record Department. In case the person fails to file
14an answer after receiving notice, his or her license may, in
15the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, or
16placed on probationary status, or the Department may take
17whatever disciplinary action deemed proper, including limiting
18the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice or the
19imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts
20charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under
21this Act. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the
22Department shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or
23their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present
24such statements, testimony, evidence and argument as may be
25pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The Department
26may continue the hearing from time to time. At the discretion

 

 

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1of the Secretary after having first received the recommendation
2of the Board, the accused person's license may be suspended,
3revoked, placed on probationary status, or whatever
4disciplinary action as the Secretary may deem proper, including
5limiting the scope, nature, or extent of said person's
6practice, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged
7constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act.
8(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
9    (225 ILCS 80/26.6)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3926.6)
10    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
11    Sec. 26.6. Findings of fact, conclusions of law, and
12recommendations. At the conclusion of the hearing the Board
13shall present to the Secretary a written report of its findings
14of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations. The report
15shall contain a finding whether or not the accused person
16violated this Act or failed to comply with the conditions
17required in this Act. The Board shall specify the nature of the
18violation or failure to comply, and shall make its
19recommendations to the Secretary.
20    The report of findings of fact, conclusions of law and
21recommendations of the Board shall be the basis for the
22Department's order. If the Secretary disagrees in any regard
23with the report of the Board, the Secretary may issue an order
24in contravention thereof. The Secretary shall provide within 60
25days of taking such action a written report to the Board on any

 

 

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1such deviation, and shall specify with particularity the
2reasons for said action in the final order. The finding is not
3admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal
4prosecution brought for the violation of this Act, but the
5hearing and findings are not a bar to a criminal prosecution
6brought for the violation of this Act.
7    At any point in any investigation or disciplinary
8proceeding provided for in this Act, both parties may agree to
9a negotiated consent order. The consent order shall be final
10upon the signature of the Secretary.
11(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
12    (225 ILCS 80/26.7)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3926.7)
13    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
14    Sec. 26.7. Hearing officer. Notwithstanding the provisions
15of Section 26.6 of this Act, the Secretary shall have the
16authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law
17in the State of Illinois to serve as the hearing officer in any
18action for discipline of a license. The Secretary shall notify
19the Board of any such appointment. The hearing officer shall
20have full authority to conduct the hearing. The Board shall
21have the right to have at least one member present at any
22hearing conducted by such hearing officer. The hearing officer
23shall report his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law
24and recommendations to the Board and the Secretary. The Board
25shall have 60 days from receipt of the report to review the

 

 

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1report of the hearing officer and present its findings of fact,
2conclusions of law and recommendations to the Secretary. If the
3Board fails to present its report within the 60 day period, the
4Secretary shall issue an order based on the report of the
5hearing officer. If the Secretary disagrees in any regard with
6the report of the Board or hearing officer, he or she may issue
7an order in contravention thereof. The Secretary shall provide
8a written explanation to the Board on any such deviation, and
9shall specify with particularity the reasons for such action in
10the final order.
11(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
12    (225 ILCS 80/26.8)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3926.8)
13    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
14    Sec. 26.8. Service of report; rehearing; order. In any case
15involving the discipline of a license, a copy of the Board's
16and hearing officer's report shall be served upon the
17respondent by the Department, either personally or as provided
18in this Act for the service of the notice of hearing. Within 20
19days after such service, the respondent may present to the
20Department a motion in writing for a rehearing, which motion
21shall specify the particular grounds therefor. If no motion for
22rehearing is filed, then upon the expiration of the time
23specified for filing such a motion, or if a motion for
24rehearing is denied, then upon such denial the Secretary may
25enter an order in accordance with this Act. If the respondent

 

 

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1shall order from the reporting service, and pay for a
2transcript of the record within the time for filing a motion
3for rehearing, the 20 day period within which such a motion may
4be filed shall commence upon the delivery of the transcript to
5the respondent.
6(Source: P.A. 94-787, eff. 5-19-06.)
 
7    (225 ILCS 80/26.15)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3926.15)
8    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
9    Sec. 26.15. Certification of record. The Department shall
10not be required to certify any record to the Court or file any
11answer in court or otherwise appear in any court in a judicial
12review proceeding, unless and until the Department has received
13from the plaintiff there is filed in the court, with the
14complaint, a receipt from the Department acknowledging payment
15of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record, which
16costs shall be determined by the Department. Failure on the
17part of the plaintiff to file a receipt in Court shall be
18grounds for dismissal of the action.
19(Source: P.A. 87-1031.)
 
20    (225 ILCS 80/27)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3927)
21    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2017)
22    Sec. 27. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois
23Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and
24incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of that Act

 

 

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1were included in this Act, except that the provision of
2subsection (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative
3Procedure Act that provides that at hearings the licensee has
4the right to show compliance with all lawful requirements for
5retention, continuation or renewal of the license is
6specifically excluded. For the purpose of this Act the notice
7required under Section 10-25 of the Administrative Procedure
8Act is deemed sufficient when mailed to the last known address
9of a party.
10(Source: P.A. 88-45.)
 
11    (225 ILCS 80/30 new)
12    Sec. 30. Confidentiality. All information collected by the
13Department in the course of an examination or investigation of
14a licensee or applicant, including, but not limited to, any
15complaint against a license filed with the Department and
16information collected to investigate any such complaint, shall
17be maintained for the confidential use of the Department and
18shall not be disclosed. The Department may not disclose the
19information to anyone other than law enforcement officials,
20other regulatory agencies that have an appropriate regulatory
21interest as determined by the Secretary, or a party presenting
22a lawful subpoena to the Department. Information and documents
23disclosed to a federal, State, county, or local law enforcement
24agency shall not be disclosed by the agency for any purpose to
25any other agency or person. A formal complaint filed against a

 

 

HB6166- 32 -LRB099 20424 SMS 44921 b

1licensee by the Department or any order issued by the
2Department against a licensee or applicant shall be a public
3record, except as otherwise prohibited by law.
 
4    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
5becoming law, except that the provisions changing Sections 3
6and 15.1 of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 and
7adding Section 15.3 of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of
81987 take effect on January 1, 2017.

 

 

HB6166- 33 -LRB099 20424 SMS 44921 b

1 INDEX
2 Statutes amended in order of appearance
3    5 ILCS 80/4.27
4    5 ILCS 80/4.37 new
5    225 ILCS 80/3from Ch. 111, par. 3903
6    225 ILCS 80/9from Ch. 111, par. 3909
7    225 ILCS 80/9.5 new
8    225 ILCS 80/10from Ch. 111, par. 3910
9    225 ILCS 80/11from Ch. 111, par. 3911
10    225 ILCS 80/14from Ch. 111, par. 3914
11    225 ILCS 80/15.1
12    225 ILCS 80/18from Ch. 111, par. 3918
13    225 ILCS 80/20from Ch. 111, par. 3920
14    225 ILCS 80/21from Ch. 111, par. 3921
15    225 ILCS 80/24from Ch. 111, par. 3924
16    225 ILCS 80/26.2from Ch. 111, par. 3926.2
17    225 ILCS 80/26.6from Ch. 111, par. 3926.6
18    225 ILCS 80/26.7from Ch. 111, par. 3926.7
19    225 ILCS 80/26.8from Ch. 111, par. 3926.8
20    225 ILCS 80/26.15from Ch. 111, par. 3926.15
21    225 ILCS 80/27from Ch. 111, par. 3927
22    225 ILCS 80/30 new