SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 354

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  December 12, 2024

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 354.

      As amended, this bill updates the statute governing optometrists licensed in New Jersey by matching the scope of practice, services and treatments optometrists can offer patients with the optometrists’ doctoral training, education, and clinical experience.  Additionally, the bill clarifies requirements that an optometrist must complete prior to receiving authorization to perform certain services. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As amended and reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 354 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 920 (1R).

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to eliminate discretion, established pursuant to the bill, by the New Jersey State Board of Optometry regarding certain procedures an optometrist is authorized to perform as part of the scope of practice for optometry.