(225 ILCS 80/15.3) (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027) Sec. 15.3. The Collaborative Optometric/Ophthalmological Task Force. In order to protect the public and provide quality care, a Collaborative
Optometric/Ophthalmological Task Force is established. This Task Force shall collaboratively develop minimum
educational requirements for an optometrist to perform advanced optometric procedures. Advanced optometric
procedures do not include the use of lasers. The Collaborative Optometric/Ophthalmological Task Force shall be comprised of a representative of a
statewide organization representing optometry, a representative of a statewide organization representing
ophthalmology, a representative of a statewide organization representing physicians licensed to practice medicine in all
of its branches, a representative of an accredited, private 4-year school of optometry located in a city in Illinois with a population of more than 1,500,000 persons. The Department shall provide
administrative support to the Collaborative Optometric/Ophthalmological Task Force. The Task Force shall meet at least
monthly. No later than September 1, 2017, the statewide organization representing ophthalmology shall
provide to the Collaborative Optometric/Ophthalmological Task Force its recommended minimum educational
requirements for a licensed optometrist to obtain a certification to perform advanced optometric procedures. No later than January 1, 2018, the Department, in direct consultation with the Collaborative
Optometric/Ophthalmological Task Force, shall propose rules for adoption that are consistent with the Task Force's recommendations, or recommend legislation to the General
Assembly, providing educational requirements that must be met for an optometrist to obtain certification from a
school of optometry approved by the Department to perform advanced optometric procedures as taught (1) at an accredited, private 4-year school
of optometry that is located in a city in Illinois with a population in excess of 1,500,000, or (2) at a school of optometry
with a curriculum that is substantially similar to the curriculum taught at the school of optometry described in item (1) of
this paragraph.
(Source: P.A. 99-909, eff. 12-16-16.) |