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HB 2897

Missouri HouseIn House Committee

Summary

HB 2897, which provides that the practice of optometry shall include the use of injectable agents and surgical procedures for certain purposes, was introduced in the House on Jan 8, 2026 by Rep. Jeff Farnan (R) with 1 co-sponsor. It last saw action on May 5, 2026: Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 19 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0.


Record

Text

HB 2897 has 1 co-sponsor.

hb2897/introduced.txt
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 2897
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE FARNAN.
6557H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 336.010, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to the
practice of optometry.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 336.010, RSMo, is repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu
thereof, to be known as sections 336.010 and 336.023, to read as follows:
336.010. 1. The "practice of optometry" is the examination, diagnosis, [treatment,
and preventative care] prevention, and treatment, surgical or nonsurgical, of the eye,
adnexa, and vision. The practice includes, but is not limited to:
(1) The examination of the eye, adnexa, and vision to determine the accommodative
and refractive states, visual perception, conditions, and diseases;
(2) The diagnosis and treatment of conditions or diseases of the eye, adnexa, and
vision;
(3) The performance of diagnostic procedures and ordering of laboratory and imaging
tests for the diagnosis of vision and conditions and diseases of the eye and adnexa;
(4) The prescription and administration of pharmaceutical agents[, excluding
injectable agents,] for the purpose of examination, diagnosis, and treatment of vision and
conditions or diseases of the eye and adnexa;
(5) The removal of superficial foreign bodies from the eye or adnexa;
(6) The removal of nonperforating foreign bodies from the cornea, conjunctiva,
or eyelids;
(7) The removal of eyelashes;
(8) The scraping of the cornea for diagnostic tests, smears, or cultures;
EXPLANATION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law. Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
HB 2897 2
(9) The dilation, probing, irrigation, or closure of the tear drainage structure of
the eye;
(10) The expression of conjunctival follicles or cysts;
(11) The debridement of the corneal epithelium;
(12) The incision and curettage of a chalazion;
(13) The removal and biopsy of skin lesions without known malignancy;
(14) Laser capsulotomy;
(15) Laser trabeculoplasty;
(16) Laser peripheral iridotomy;
(17) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, including
section 334.010, the performance of additional procedures that are not excluded under
subsection 2 of this section and that are within the scope of a licensed optometrist's
education and training for the treatment of any insufficiencies or abnormal conditions
of the human eye and its adnexa as authorized under rules adopted by the board;
(18) The employment of objective or subjective mechanical means to determine the
accommodative or refractive states of the human eye;
[(7)] (19) The prescription or adaptation of lenses, prisms, devices, or ocular
exercises to correct defects or abnormal conditions of the human eye or vision or to adjust the
human eye to special conditions;
[(8)] (20) The prescription and fitting of ophthalmic or contact lenses and devices;
[(9)] (21) The prescription and administration of vision therapy; and
[(10)] (22) The prescription and administration of low vision care.
2. The board shall continue to review surgical procedures not listed in this
subsection but that shall be excluded from the scope of the practice of optometry. The
following procedures are not within the scope of optometry and an optometrist [may]
shall not perform [surgery, including the use of lasers for treatment of any disease or
condition or for the correction of refractive error] such procedures, except for the
preoperative and postoperative care of these procedures:
(1) Retina laser procedures, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and
photorefractive keratectomy (PRK);
(2) Nonlaser surgery related to removal of the eye from a living human being;
(3) Nonlaser surgery requiring full-thickness incision or excision of the cornea or
sclera other than paracentesis in an emergency situation requiring immediate reduction
of the pressure inside the eye;
(4) Penetrating keratoplasty (corneal transplant) or lamellar keratoplasty;
(5) Nonlaser surgery requiring incision of the iris and ciliary body, including iris
diathermy or cryotherapy;
HB 2897 3
(6) Nonlaser surgery requiring incision of the vitreous;
(7) Nonlaser surgery requiring incision of the retina;
(8) Nonlaser surgical extraction of the crystalline lens;
(9) Nonlaser surgical intraocular implants;
(10) Incisional or excisional nonlaser surgery of the extraocular muscles;
(11) Nonlaser surgery of the eyelid for eyelid malignancies or for incisional
cosmetic or mechanical repair of blepharochalasis, ptosis, and tarsorrhaphy;
(12) Nonlaser surgery of the bony orbit, including orbital implants;
(13) Incisional or excisional nonlaser surgery of the lacrimal system other than
lacrimal probing or related procedures;
(14) Nonlaser surgery requiring full-thickness conjunctivoplasty with graft or
flap;
(15) Any nonlaser surgical procedure that does not provide for the correction
and relief of ocular abnormalities;
(16) Laser or nonlaser injection into the posterior chamber of the eye to treat
any macular or retinal disease; and
(17) The administration of general anesthesia.
3. As used in this chapter, except as the context may otherwise require, the following
terms mean:
(1) "Eye", the human eye;
(2) "Adnexa", all structures adjacent to the eye and the conjunctiva, lids, lashes, and
lacrimal system;
(3) "Board", the Missouri state board of optometry;
(4) "Diagnostic pharmaceutical agents", topically applied pharmaceuticals used for
the purpose of conducting an examination of the eye, adnexa, and vision;
(5) "Low vision care", the examination, treatment, and management of patients with
visual impairments not treatable by conventional eyewear or contact lenses and may include a
vision rehabilitation program to enhance remaining vision skills;
(6) "Pharmaceutical agents", any diagnostic and therapeutic drug or combination of
drugs that assist the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or mitigation of abnormal conditions or
symptoms of the human eye, adnexa, and vision;
(7) "Therapeutic pharmaceutical agents", those pharmaceuticals[, excluding
injectable agents,] used for the treatment of conditions or diseases of the eye, adnexa, and
vision;
(8) "Vision therapy", a treatment regiment to improve a patient's diagnosed visual
dysfunctions, prevent the development of visual problems, or enhance visual performance to
meet the defined needs of the patient.
HB 2897 4
336.023. 1. Notwithstanding section 336.010, a licensed optometrist shall not
administer or perform any procedures described in subdivisions (6) to (16) of subsection
1 of section 336.010 that require injections or lasers without first successfully completing
a thirty-two-hour certification program that includes both didactic and clinical or
laboratory experiences approved by the board and presented by a college or school of
optometry.
2. Any licensed optometrist who graduated from an accredited college or school
of optometry after July 1, 2020, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.

Provides that the practice of optometry shall include the use of injectable agents and surgical procedures for certain purposes

Sponsors

Rep. Jeff Farnan (R) sponsors HB 2897, and 1 member has co-sponsored it.

Committees

HB 2897 went before 1 committee: Professional Registration And Licensing.

Professional Registration And Licensing
Professional Registration And Licensing
Referred to · Feb 19, 2026 · 6 Bills

History

HB 2897 has taken 7 actions since Jan 8, 2026, the latest on May 5, 2026.

ChamberAction
May 5, 2026
House
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 19 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0
Mar 25, 2026
House
Executive Session Completed (H)
Mar 25, 2026
House
Voted Do Pass (H)
Feb 25, 2026
House
Public Hearing Completed (H)
Feb 19, 2026
House
Referred: Professional Registration and Licensing(H)

Votes

HB 2897 has not gone to a roll call.


Source: house.mo.gov · legiscan.com