Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/08/2010 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB110 | |
| HB314 | |
| HB245 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 314 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 245 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 110 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 245-LICENSING FOR OPTOMETRY
3:18:14 PM
CHAIR PASKVAN announced HB 245 to be up for consideration.
3:19:23 PM
KACI SHROEDER, staff to Representative Thomas, reviewed that HB
245 was brought forth on behalf of the Board of Optometry.
Basically right now Alaska has three levels of licensures for
optometrists: low, medium and high. The Board of Optometry would
like to get rid of the two lower levels and just have everyone
licensed at the highest level. Students graduating from
optometry school right now are already graduating with the
credentials to practice at the highest level, and most
optometrists in Alaska already have upgraded themselves to be
able to practice at the highest level. For those few
optometrists who do not have the credentials and do not want to
upgrade themselves, they would be issued a restricted license so
they would still be able to practice but only at the level that
is commensurate with their education level.
She said HB 245 also allows for a retired license; she pointed
out that most states in the nation have moved to this form of
licensure and this would bring Alaska in line with other states.
3:19:57 PM
SENATOR MEYER asked if someone is retired could they come out of
retirement and practice again but have to take a certain amount
of courses.
SENATOR BUNDE also interjected that he had heard interesting
debates on this issue and asked if there is general agreement
between both sides at this point.
MS. SCHROEDER replied yes.
3:20:39 PM
JILL MATHESON, Chair, Alaska Board of Optometry, in response to
Senator Meyer's question, said the Board has not come up with
any regulations specifically about what those requirements would
be, but that would be one of the regulations they would look at
if this bill passes.
SENATOR MEYER said his concern is that if someone comes out of
retirement to practice that they might not be as current as
someone else.
MS. MATHESON said that would be their concern as well, so they
would have some sort of regulation addressing that.
CHAIR PASKVAN asked if there is any serious opposition.
MS. MATHESON answered no.
CHAIR PASKVAN asked if this bill adequately protects the public
interest.
MS. MATHESON answered yes.
3:22:18 PM
CHAIR PASKVAN closed public
SENATOR MEYER moved to report HB 245 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
were no objections and it was so ordered.
3:22:43 PM
Finding no other business to come before the committee, Chair
Paskvan adjourned the meeting at 3:22 p.m.
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