HB334 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Optometry, Board of, practice of optometry through telemedicine provided for, Secs. 34-22-80 to 34-22-87, inclusive, am'd.; Sec. 34-22-88 repealed

Summary

HB334 would regulate optometry via telemedicine in Alabama, create a cross-state special license for out-of-state optometrists, and repeal a duplicative rule.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes regulation of telemedicine in optometry by amending sections 34-22-80 to 34-22-87 and repealing 34-22-88. It creates a 'special purpose license to practice optometry across state lines' with requirements (full license in another state, no disciplinary action, and a board-issued certificate of qualification) and a three-year term. It sets telemedicine rules, including definitions for distant site providers and established treatment sites, requirements for patient-provider relationships, privacy and security measures, and record-keeping. It also allows telemedicine at established treatment sites for all visits (including initial evaluations) with onsite supervision, plus emergency exemptions and reciprocity provisions; the act becomes law after a specified effective date.

Who It Affects

• Alabama-licensed optometrists would need to follow telemedicine rules and could seek a three-year special cross-state license to treat Alabama patients remotely.
• Optometrists licensed in other states could obtain a special purpose license to practice across state lines in Alabama if they meet criteria (full license, no disciplinary action, and board qualification).
• Alabama patients receiving optometry care via telemedicine would gain privacy protections, notice and consent requirements, and records kept under telemedicine standards.
• Distant site providers (out-of-state or Alabama-licensed optometrists delivering telemedicine) must meet licensing, privacy, security, and relationship-building requirements.
• The Alabama Board of Optometry would regulate, issue, renew, suspend, and discipline licenses and telemedicine practice, and adopt rules.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes regulation of optometry telemedicine and repeals Section 34-22-88 as duplicative.
• Creates a special purpose license to practice optometry across state lines with qualifications: full/unrestricted license in another state, no disciplinary action, and a certificate of qualification; license is valid for three years and renews under board rules.
• Defines key terms: distant site provider, established treatment site, face-to-face visit, and telemedicine; requires distant site providers to hold an active Alabama license and clarifies telemedicine scope.
• Allows telemedicine at an established treatment site for all visits including initial evaluations, with onsite provider availability and potential task delegation to trained staff.
• Requires a prior face-to-face meeting at an established site before telemedicine with a distant site provider, and identity verification of the patient; exceptions for existing patients with new conditions when appropriate.
• Evaluations, treatments, and prescriptions via telemedicine must meet the same standards as in-person care.
• Implements privacy and security measures: notice of privacy practices, written patient acknowledgment, proper handling of electronic communications, and secure record-keeping.
• Requires comprehensive patient records for telemedicine, including medical history, electronic communications, prescriptions, lab results, and related documents; records should be maintained at appropriate sites.
• Provides exemptions: emergency or irregular/infrequent cross-state practice may be exempt from certain provisions; emergencies defined by the board.
• Allows temporary suspension of the special license for failure to appear or for disciplinary action in other states, with suspension lasting until compliance or termination.
• Governs reciprocity: the board will determine which states have reciprocal licensure to meet qualifications for cross-state licensing.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Optometry, Board of