VermontVermont law allows qualified optometrists to perform advanced eye procedures
Beginning July 1, 2028, qualified Vermont optometrists may perform certain advanced eye procedures, with added training, reporting, and Board membership rules.
What it does
Licensed optometrists who meet education, exam, and skill requirements may perform certain surgeries, laser procedures, and injections through an advanced specialty.
Specialty holders must take five extra hours of advanced-procedure training every two years and report related adverse events within 30 days.
The Board includes an optometrist and an ophthalmologist; by January 1, 2031, at least one of its four optometrist members must hold the advanced specialty.
Argument forQualified optometrists may be able to provide some advanced eye procedures, which could give patients another place to receive care.
Argument againstThe extra training and reporting rules could add time and paperwork for optometrists who perform advanced procedures.
More detail
The law provides an advanced therapeutic procedures specialty for licensed optometrists. The specialty covers certain surgeries, laser procedures, and injections. Optometrists must meet specific education, examination, and demonstrated competency requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2028.
Optometrists with the specialty must complete additional training and report related adverse events. These requirements apply to optometrists holding the advanced therapeutic procedures specialty. Specialty holders must complete five extra hours of advanced-procedure training during each two-year licensing period, in addition to the 40 hours required of all optometrists. They must report an adverse event related to an advanced procedure within 30 days after it occurs. The law takes effect July 1, 2028.
The law provides for two additional members on the Board of Optometry. One member must be an optometrist and one must be an ophthalmologist. At least one of the Board's four optometrist members must hold the specialty by January 1, 2031. The law takes effect July 1, 2028. The specialty requirement for an optometrist Board member applies by January 1, 2031.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Senate Message: Signed by Governor Phil Scott June 18, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 18, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 12, 2026To Governor
- May 28Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- Vote recorded Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 66 of 131 to Pass -- Yeas = 93, Nays = 38. Result: pass.Lower
- May 28Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 28As passed by Senate and HouseMajor
- May 28House proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 28House proposal of amendment; textMinor
- May 28Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 28House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
- May 28Rules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 28Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 28Rules suspended and bill placed in all remaining stages of passage as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 28Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 66 of 131 to Pass -- Yeas = 93, Nays = 38
- May 28Third Reading orderedMinor
- May 28Rep. O'Brien of Tunbridge demanded yeas and nays
- May 28Pending the question, Shall the bill be read a third time?, division demanded by Rep. Boyden of Cambridge
- May 28Rep. Nugent of South Burlington moved that the House propose to the Senate to amend the bill, which was agreed to
- May 28Rep. Mrowicki of Putney recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- May 28Rep. Waszazak of Barre City recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- May 28Rep. Birong of Vergennes reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
- May 28Rep. Soucy of Barre Town reported for the Committee on Health Care
- May 28Read second timeMinor
- May 28Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 28Notice Calendar: Favorable
- May 22Pending entry on Notice Calendar, referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- May 21Pending entry on Notice Calendar, referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)
- May 8Rep. Soucy of Barre Town moved to commit the bill to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, which was agreed to
- May 8Action Calendar: Favorable
- May 7Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Apr 1Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health CareMinor
- Mar 27Read 3rd time & passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 27New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 263rd reading ordered
- Mar 26Motion to amend bill agreed to
- Mar 26Recommendation of amendment by Senator(s) Morley, text
- Mar 26Reported favorably by Senator Norris for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 26Reported favorably by Senator Mattos for Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 26Reported favorably by Senator Morley for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 26Reported favorably by Senator Collamore for Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 26Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 26Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Morley
- Mar 26Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 26Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 26Favorable report by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 26Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 26Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 25Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Morley
- Mar 25Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 25Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 25Favorable report by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 25Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 25Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Morley
- Mar 24Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 24Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 24Favorable report by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 24Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 24Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 20Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- Mar 20Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 20Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 20Favorable report by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 20Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 17Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- Mar 17Favorable report by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 17Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 17Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 17Entered on Notice Calendar
- 2025
- Feb 27Rules suspended & bill committed to Committee on Health and Welfare with the report of Committee on Government Operations intact, on motion of Senator Collamore
- Feb 27Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Feb 27Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 27Entered on Notice Calendar
- Feb 14Committee on Health and Welfare relieved; bill committed to Committee on Government Operations on motion of Senator Lyons
- Feb 11Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareIntroduced
Healthcare