HB146 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Harry Shiver

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Opticians, contact lens fitters, certification required, penalties provided

Summary

HB146 would require opticians and contact lens fitters to be certified or licensed, prohibiting unqualified individuals from fitting or dispensing eyewear or contact lenses and establishing penalties.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits fitting or dispensing eyewear unless the person is certified by the American Board of Opticianry or is a licensed physician or optometrist. It prohibits fitting or dispensing contact lenses unless the person is certified by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners or is a licensed physician or optometrist. Certified contact lens fitters may only fit and dispense contact lenses under the supervision and to the extent authorized by a prescribing physician or optometrist. The bill also provides penalties for violations and notes how local-funding considerations relate to the constitution, with certain exceptions that may avoid a separate local-approval process.

Who It Affects

• Opticians and contact lens fitters would need formal certification and could face penalties if they operate without certification or appropriate supervision.
• Licensed physicians and optometrists would supervise certified fitters and authorize the extent of fit or dispensing of contact lenses.

Key Provisions

• An individual may not fit or dispense eyewear unless certified by the American Board of Opticianry, or is a licensed physician or optometrist.
• An individual may not fit or dispense contact lenses unless certified by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners, or is a licensed physician or optometrist.
• A certified contact lens fitter may fit and dispense contact lenses only to the extent authorized and under the supervision of a prescribing physician or optometrist.
• Violations are punishable as a Class C misdemeanor.
• The act references Amendment 621 concerning local funding and notes exceptions that may affect how local funds are involved, potentially avoiding separate local approval requirements.

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

Subjects

Opticians and Contact Lense Fitters