102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5800

 

Introduced 11/16/2022, by Rep. Robert Rita

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
225 ILCS 80/16  from Ch. 111, par. 3916

    Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Provides that beginning April 1, 2024, all continuing education may be completed online through live, real-time presentations or by pre-recorded video provided by an approved continuing education sponsor. Provides that an approved continuing education sponsor is a person, firm, association, corporation, or another entity that has been recommended by the Illinois Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board to coordinate and present continuing education courses or programs and approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.


LRB102 28546 AMQ 40423 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5800LRB102 28546 AMQ 40423 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 Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 is
5amended by changing Section 16 as follows:
 
6    (225 ILCS 80/16)  (from Ch. 111, par. 3916)
7    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)
8    Sec. 16. Renewal, reinstatement, or restoration of
9licenses; military service. The expiration date and renewal
10period for each license issued under this Act shall be set by
11rule.
12    All renewal applicants shall provide proof of having met
13the requirements of continuing education set forth in the
14rules of the Department. The Department shall, by rule,
15provide for an orderly process for the reinstatement of
16licenses which have not been renewed due to failure to meet the
17continuing education requirements. The continuing education
18requirement may be waived for such good cause, including, but
19not limited to, illness or hardship, as defined by rules of the
20Department.
21    The Department shall establish by rule a means for the
22verification of completion of the continuing education
23required by this Section. This verification may be

 

 

HB5800- 2 -LRB102 28546 AMQ 40423 b

1accomplished through audits of records maintained by
2registrants; by requiring the filing of continuing education
3certificates with the Department; or by other means
4established by the Department.
5    Beginning April 1, 2024, all continuing education, except
6for certified courses or transcript quality courses that meet
7the requirements of 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1320.80(b)(2)(A), may be
8completed online through live, real-time presentations or by
9pre-recorded video provided by an approved continuing
10education sponsor. An approved continuing education sponsor is
11a person, firm, association, corporation, or another entity
12that has been recommended by the Board to coordinate and
13present continuing education courses or programs and approved
14by the Department.
15    Any licensee seeking renewal of his or her license during
16the renewal cycle beginning April 1, 2008 must first complete
17a tested educational course in the use of oral pharmaceutical
18agents for the management of ocular conditions, as approved by
19the Board.
20    Any optometrist who has permitted his or her license to
21expire or who has had his or her license on inactive status may
22have his or her license restored by making application to the
23Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department of
24his or her fitness to have his or her license restored and by
25paying the required fees. Such proof of fitness may include
26evidence certifying to active lawful practice in another

 

 

HB5800- 3 -LRB102 28546 AMQ 40423 b

1jurisdiction and must include proof of the completion of the
2continuing education requirements specified in the rules for
3the preceding license renewal period that has been completed
4during the 2 years prior to the application for license
5restoration.
6    The Department shall determine, by an evaluation program
7established by rule, his or her fitness for restoration of his
8or her license and shall establish procedures and requirements
9for such restoration.
10    However, any optometrist whose license expired while he or
11she was (1) in Federal Service on active duty with the Armed
12Forces of the United States, or the State Militia called into
13service or training, or (2) in training or education under the
14supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into
15the military service, may have his or her license restored
16without paying any lapsed renewal fees if within 2 years after
17honorable termination of such service, training, or education,
18he or she furnishes the Department with satisfactory evidence
19to the effect that he or she has been so engaged and that his
20or her service, training, or education has been so terminated.
21    All licenses without "Therapeutic Certification" on March
2231, 2006 shall be placed on non-renewed status and may only be
23renewed after the licensee meets those requirements
24established by the Department that may not be waived. All
25licensees on March 31, 2010 without a certification of
26completion of an oral pharmaceutical course as required by

 

 

HB5800- 4 -LRB102 28546 AMQ 40423 b

1this Section shall be placed on non-renewed status and may
2only be renewed after the licensee meets those requirements
3established by the Department that may not be waived.
4(Source: P.A. 95-242, eff. 1-1-08; 96-270, eff. 1-1-10.)