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92_HB2595enr
HB2595 Enrolled LRB9202314LBgc
1 AN ACT in relation to the regulation of professions.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987
5 is amended by changing Sections 12, 16, 17, and 22 as
6 follows:
7 (225 ILCS 80/12) (from Ch. 111, par. 3912)
8 Sec. 12. Applications for licenses and certificates.
9 Applications for original licenses and certificates shall be
10 made to the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the
11 Department and shall be accompanied by the required fee,
12 which shall not be refundable. Any such application shall
13 require such information as in the judgment of the Department
14 will enable the Department to pass on the qualifications of
15 the applicant for a license or certificate.
16 An applicant for initial licensure in Illinois shall
17 apply for and be qualified to receive and shall maintain
18 certification to use diagnostic and therapeutic ocular
19 pharmaceuticals.
20 Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to
21 complete the application process. If the process has not
22 been completed within 3 years, the application shall be
23 denied, the application fees shall be forfeited, and the
24 applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at
25 the time of reapplication.
26 Applicants who meet all other conditions for licensure
27 and who will be practicing optometry in a residency program
28 approved by the Board may apply for and receive a limited one
29 year license to practice optometry as a resident in the
30 program. A licensee who receives a limited license under
31 this Section shall have the same privileges and
HB2595 Enrolled -2- LRB9202314LBgc
1 responsibilities as a therapeutically certified licensee.
2 (Source: P.A. 91-141, eff. 7-16-99.)
3 (225 ILCS 80/16) (from Ch. 111, par. 3916)
4 Sec. 16. Renewal, reinstatement or restoration of
5 licenses; military service. The expiration date and renewal
6 period for each license and certificate issued under this Act
7 shall be set by rule.
8 All renewal applicants shall provide proof of having met
9 the requirements of continuing education set forth in the
10 rules of the Department. The Department shall, by rule,
11 provide for an orderly process for the reinstatement of
12 licenses which have not been renewed due to failure to meet
13 the continuing education requirements. The continuing
14 education requirement may be waived in cases of extreme
15 hardship as defined by rules of the Department.
16 The Department shall establish by rule a means for the
17 verification of completion of the continuing education
18 required by this Section. This verification may be
19 accomplished through audits of records maintained by
20 registrants; by requiring the filing of continuing education
21 certificates with the Department; or by other means
22 established by the Department.
23 Any optometrist who has permitted his or her license to
24 expire or who has had his or her license on inactive status
25 may have his or her license restored by making application to
26 the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department
27 of his or her fitness to have his or her license restored and
28 by paying the required fees. Such proof of fitness may
29 include evidence certifying to active lawful practice in
30 another jurisdiction and must include proof of the completion
31 of the continuing education requirements specified in the
32 rules for the preceding license renewal period for the
33 applicant's level of certification that has been completed
HB2595 Enrolled -3- LRB9202314LBgc
1 during the 2 years prior to the application for license
2 restoration.
3 The Department shall determine, by an evaluation program
4 established by rule, his or her fitness for restoration of
5 his or her license and shall establish procedures and
6 requirements for such restoration.
7 However, any optometrist whose license expired while he
8 or she was (1) in Federal Service on active duty with the
9 Armed Forces of the United States, or the State Militia
10 called into service or training, or (2) in training or
11 education under the supervision of the United States
12 preliminary to induction into the military service, may have
13 his or her license restored without paying any lapsed renewal
14 fees if within 2 years after honorable termination of such
15 service, training, or education, he or she furnishes the
16 Department with satisfactory evidence to the effect that he
17 or she has been so engaged and that his or her service,
18 training, or education has been so terminated.
19 (Source: P.A. 89-702, eff. 7-1-97.)
20 (225 ILCS 80/17) (from Ch. 111, par. 3917)
21 Sec. 17. Inactive status. Any optometrist who notifies
22 the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the
23 Department, may elect to place his or her license on an
24 inactive status and shall be excused from payment of renewal
25 fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of
26 his intent to restore his or her license.
27 Any optometrist requesting restoration from inactive
28 status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee, to
29 provide proof of completion of the continuing education
30 requirements specified in the rules for the preceding license
31 renewal period for the applicant's level of certification
32 that has been completed during the 2 years prior to the
33 application for restoration, and shall be required to restore
HB2595 Enrolled -4- LRB9202314LBgc
1 his or her license as provided by rule of the Department.
2 Any optometrist whose license is in an inactive status
3 shall not practice optometry in the State of Illinois.
4 Any licensee who shall practice while his or her license
5 is lapsed or on inactive status shall be considered to be
6 practicing without a license which shall be grounds for
7 discipline under Section 24 subsection (a) of this Act.
8 (Source: P.A. 89-702, eff. 7-1-97.)
9 (225 ILCS 80/22) (from Ch. 111, par. 3922)
10 Sec. 22. Any person licensed under this Act may
11 advertise the availability of professional services in the
12 public media or on the premises where such professional
13 services are rendered provided that such advertising is
14 truthful and not misleading and is in conformity with rules
15 promulgated by the Department.
16 It is unlawful for any person licensed under this Act to
17 use testimonials or claims of superior quality of care to
18 entice the public.
19 (Source: P.A. 85-896.)
20 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
21 becoming law.
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