SB336 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

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practice of optometry through telemedicine provided, Secs. 34-22-80 to 34-22-87, inclusive, am'd.; Sec. 34-22-88 repealed

Summary

SB336 would let the Alabama Board of Optometry regulate optometry via telemedicine and create a special cross-state license to practice across state lines, while repealing duplicative provisions and establishing privacy, record-keeping, and safety standards.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Board to regulate telemedicine in optometry and defines key telemedicine terms and settings. It creates a special purpose license to practice optometry across state lines, with eligibility rules, a 3-year term, renewal, and reciprocity considerations. It sets telemedicine standards for privacy notices, patient consent, security, establishing a provider-patient relationship, and comparable care to in-person visits, along with required patient records and on-site support at established treatment sites. It also includes emergency and irregular/infrequent cross-state practice exemptions and repeals a duplicative statute (34-22-88).

Who It Affects

• Alabama patients receiving optometry care via telemedicine, who would gain regulated access to telemedicine services with privacy protections, consent requirements, and mandated record-keeping.
• Optometrists licensed in Alabama and out-of-state optometrists who would participate in cross-state practice, as they may obtain a special cross-state license, must meet eligibility requirements, adhere to telemedicine standards, and operate under potential reciprocity with other states.

Key Provisions

• authorize the Alabama Board of Optometry to regulate telemedicine for optometry and amend related sections; repeal duplicative cross-state licensing language (34-22-88).
• create a special purpose license to practice optometry across state lines with defined eligibility (full/unrestricted license in the U.S. or territories, no or acceptable disciplinary history), a 3-year term, renewal process, and reciprocity considerations for Alabama licensees.
• establish telemedicine standards including privacy notices, patient consent, security measures, required provider-patient relationship (including face-to-face meeting prior to telemedicine when applicable), on-site availability at established treatment sites, and equivalent clinical standards to in-person care; require thorough record-keeping and history documentation.
• include emergency and irregular/infrequent cross-state practice exemptions, outline enforcement and penalties for unlicensed practice, and set operative date details while removing duplicative rules.

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, Alabama Board of