OPTOMETRIC PRACTICE-TELEHEALTH Senate SponsorsSen. Ram Villivalam, Laura Fine, Karina Villa, Bill Cunningham, Elgie R. Sims, Jr., Omar Aquino and Rachelle Crowe House Sponsors(Rep. Anna Moeller, Elizabeth Hernandez, Frances Ann Hurley and Kathleen Willis) 7/23/2021SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0153 225 ILCS 80/9from Ch. 111, par. 3909225 ILCS 80/15.4 newAmends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Provides that an optometrist licensed under the Act may practice optometry through telehealth as authorized by the Act and the Telehealth Act. Provides that an optometrist treating a patient located in Illinois through telehealth must be licensed under the Act. Provides that an optometrist practicing optometry through telehealth is subject to the same standard of care and practice standards that are applicable to optometric services provided in a clinic or office setting. Provides that an optometrist may not provide telehealth services unless the optometrist has established a provider-patient relationship with the patient. Provides that an optometrist treating a patient through telehealth must perform a minimum eye examination as required by the Illinois Administrative Code before prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses to the patient. Provides that if the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has reason to believe that a person has violated the provisions of the Act, it may issue a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against that person. Provides that the rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Provides that failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately. Defines terms.Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that if there is any conflict between the provisions of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 and the provisions of the Telehealth Act, the provisions of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 control. Provides that an optometrist may treat a patient through telehealth in the absence of a provider-patient relationship when, in the professional judgment of the optometrist, emergency care is required. Provides that an optometrist treating a patient through telehealth must perform at least a minimum eye examination (rather than must perform a minimum eye examination) before prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses to the patient. 2/23/2021SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Ram Villivalam 2/23/2021SenateFirst Reading 2/23/2021SenateReferred to Assignments 2/24/2021SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine 2/26/2021SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa 3/3/2021SenateAssigned to Licensed Activities 3/4/2021SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham 3/10/2021SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. 3/17/2021SenateDo Pass Licensed Activities; 008-000-000 3/17/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 23, 2021 3/19/2021SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino 3/24/2021SenateSecond Reading 3/24/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 25, 2021 4/14/2021SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram Villivalam 4/14/2021SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 4/15/2021SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Licensed Activities 4/16/2021SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachelle Crowe 4/21/2021SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Licensed Activities; 007-000-000 4/22/2021SenateRecalled to Second Reading 4/22/2021SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Villivalam 4/22/2021SenateThird Reading - Passed; 057-000-000 4/22/2021HouseArrived in House 4/22/2021HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller 4/23/2021HouseFirst Reading 4/23/2021HouseReferred to Rules Committee 5/4/2021HouseAssigned to Health Care Licenses Committee 5/12/2021HouseDo Pass / Consent Calendar Health Care Licenses Committee; 008-000-000 5/12/2021HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Consent Calendar 5/13/2021HouseSecond Reading - Consent Calendar 5/13/2021HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Consent Calendar 5/14/2021HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Consent Calendar 5/18/2021HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez 5/18/2021HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Frances Ann Hurley 5/20/2021HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kathleen Willis 5/21/2021HouseThird Reading - Consent Calendar - First Day 5/26/2021HouseThird Reading - Consent Calendar - Passed 111-000-001 5/26/2021SenatePassed Both Houses 6/24/2021SenateSent to the Governor 7/23/2021SenateGovernor Approved 7/23/2021SenateEffective Date January 1, 2022 7/23/2021SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0153