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KansasHB 22232025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Modifying certain provisions of the optometry law relating to scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.

Sponsored By: Committee on Health and Human Services

Signed by Governor

senate committee on public health and welfarehouse committee on health and human serviceshouse committee on federal and state affairs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Kansas optometrists can provide more eye care

Kansas optometrists can use medical devices and prescribe, give, or dispense drugs, but cannot inject drugs into the eye. Authorized procedures include chalazion incision and curettage, skin-lesion removal and biopsy, laser capsulotomy, and laser trabeculoplasty. For these procedures and adult open-angle glaucoma care, optometrists must meet the same care standard as medical doctors. The board can approve more procedures within optometrists’ education and training after an interprofessional advisory committee recommends them. Some surgeries remain excluded, though optometrists can provide care before and after them; lens fitting also includes changes using light.

Medical injury fund sets payout limits

For covered medical injury or death claims, the Kansas fund’s liability cannot exceed the provider’s coverage selected when the incident happened. Board adjustments to specified coverage amounts must preserve minimums of $1 million per claim and $3 million in total coverage. The fund cannot cover claims based on or related to a provider’s sexual acts or activity. It may pay reasonable, necessary lawyer fees to defend itself against those claims. It may recover some or all of those fees if the sexual acts or activity result in a damages judgment against the provider.

Optometrists face limits on dispensing medicine

Optometrists dispensing prescription-only medicine under a lawful prescription face a quantity limit. They can supply 24 hours’ worth or the minimum needed until a licensed pharmacist can fill the prescription. The limit does not apply to the eye lenses specified in the law.

Certain optometrists must carry liability coverage

Beginning January 1, 2028, liability insurance requirements apply to optometrists credentialed for four types of procedures. These are chalazion incision and curettage, skin-lesion removal and biopsy, laser capsulotomy, and laser trabeculoplasty. New and renewed policies must provide at least $500,000 per claim and $1.5 million in annual total coverage. This requirement does not apply when the initial Healthcare Stabilization Fund participation surcharge exceeds 15%.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Committee on Health and Human Services

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 458 • No: 106

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 98 Nay: 23

Yes: 98 • No: 23

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 34 Nay: 6

Yes: 34 • No: 6

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 97 Nay: 24

Yes: 97 • No: 24

House vote • 2/26/2026

Concurred with amendments

Yes: 98 • No: 23

Senate vote • 2/18/2026

Final Action - Passed as amended

Yes: 34 • No: 6

House vote • 3/18/2025

Emergency Final Action - Passed

Yes: 97 • No: 24

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on Thursday, March 12, 2026

    3/12/2026House

  2. Enrolled and presented to Governor on Tuesday, March 3, 2026

    3/3/2026House

  3. Engrossed on Thursday, February 26, 2026

    2/27/2026House

  4. Concurred with amendments; Yea 98, Nay 23, Absent 4

    2/26/2026House

  5. Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 34, Nay 6

    2/18/2026Senate

  6. Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted

    2/17/2026Senate

  7. Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Beverly Gossage

    2/17/2026Senate

  8. Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. Beverly Gossage was adopted

    2/17/2026Senate

  9. Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. William Clifford

    2/17/2026Senate

  10. Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. William Clifford was rejected

    2/17/2026Senate

  11. Committee of the Whole - Be passed as further amended

    2/17/2026Senate

  12. Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare

    2/10/2026Senate

  13. Hearing: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 8:30 AM — Room 142-S

    1/29/2026Senate

  14. Referred to Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare

    3/19/2025Senate

  15. Committee of the Whole - Be passed

    3/18/2025House

  16. Motion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted

    3/18/2025House

  17. Emergency Final Action - Passed; Yea 97, Nay 24, Absent 4

    3/18/2025House

  18. Received and Introduced

    3/18/2025Senate

  19. Committee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Health and Human Services

    3/14/2025House

  20. Hearing: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 1:30 PM — Room 112-N

    3/12/2025House

  21. Hearing: Thursday, March 6, 2025, 1:30 PM — Room 112-N — CANCELED

    3/6/2025House

  22. Withdrawn from House Committee on Health and Human Services; Rereferred to House Committee on Health and Human Services

    2/26/2025House

  23. Withdrawn from House Committee on Federal and State Affairs; Referred to House Committee on Federal and State Affairs

    2/18/2025House

  24. Introduced

    2/3/2025House

  25. Referred to House Committee on Health and Human Services

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Amended by Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • {As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}

    PDF

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