Bill Text: WV HB4601 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to expiration date of an optometrist’s prescription
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-09 - To House Health and Human Resources [HB4601 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2022-HB4601-Introduced.html
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2022 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced
House Bill 4601
By Delegate Rohrbach
[Introduced February 09, 2022; Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources]
A BILL to amend and reenact §30-8A-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to extending expiration date of an optometrist’s prescription.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 8A. EYE CARE CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW.
§30-8A-1. Definitions.
As used in this article:
(a) “Contact Lens” means a lens placed directly on the
surface of the eye, regardless of whether it is intended to correct a visual
defect. Contact lens includes, but is not limited to, a cosmetic, therapeutic,
or corrective lens.
(b) “Board” means the West Virginia Board of Optometry.
(c) “Diagnostic contact lens” means a contact lens used
to determine a proper contact lens fit.
(d) “Direct supervision” means supervision that occurs
when a licensee is actually present in the building.
(e) “Examination and evaluation” means an assessment of the
ocular health and visual status of a patient that does not consist solely of
objective refractive data or information generated by an automated refracting
device or other automated testing device for the purpose of writing a valid
prescription.
(f) “Licensee” means a person who is authorized to engage
in the practice of optometry under article eight, chapter thirty of this code.
(g) “Special requirements” means the type of lens design,
lens material, tint, or lens treatments.
(h) “Spectacles” means an optical instrument or device
worn or used by an individual that has one or more lenses designed to correct
or enhance vision to address the visual needs of the individual wearer. This
includes spectacles that may be adjusted to achieve different types or levels
of visual correction or enhancement.
(i) “Valid prescription” means one of the following, as
applicable:
(1) For a contact lens, a written or electronic order by a licensee who has conducted an examination and evaluation of a patient and has determined a satisfactory fit for the contact lens based on an analysis of the physiological compatibility of the lens or the cornea and the physical fit and refractive functionality of the lens on the patient’s eye. To be a valid prescription under this subdivision, it shall at least include the following:
(A) A statement that the prescription is for a contact lens;
(B) The contact lens type or brand name, or for a private label contact lens, the name of the manufacturer, trade name of the private label brand, and, if applicable, trade name of the equivalent or similar brand;
(C) All specifications necessary to order and fabricate the contact lens, including, if applicable, the power, material, base curve or appropriate designation, and diameter;
(D) The quantity of contact lenses to be dispensed;
(E) The number of refills;
(F) Specific wearing instructions and contact lens disposal parameters;
(G) The patient’s name;
(H) The date of the examination and evaluation;
(I) The date the prescription is originated;
(J) The prescribing licensee's name, address, and telephone number;
(K) The prescribing licensee's written or electronic signature, or other form of authentication; and
(L) An expiration date of
not less than one year two years from the date of the
examination and evaluation or a statement of the reasons why a shorter time is
appropriate based on the medical needs of the patient.
(2) For spectacles, a written or electronic order by a licensee who has examined and evaluated a patient. To be a valid prescription under this subdivision, it shall include at least the following:
(A) A statement that the prescription is for spectacles;
(B) As applicable and as specified for each eye, the lens power including the spherical power, cylindrical power including axis, prism, and power of the multifocal addition;
(C) Any special requirements, the omission in the opinion of the prescribing licensee, would adversely affect the vision or ocular health of the patient;
(D) The patient’s name;
(E) The date of the examination and evaluation;
(F) The date the prescription is originated;
(G) The prescribing licensee’s name, address, and telephone number;
(H) The prescribing licensee’s written or electronic signature, or other form of authentication; and
(I) An expiration date of
not less than one year two years from the date of the
examination and evaluation or a statement of the reasons why a shorter time is
appropriate based on the medical needs of the patient.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to change the expiration date for a patient’s prescription for contact lenses and spectacles from one year to two years.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.