All Roll Calls
Yes: 229 • No: 53
KansasHB 22232025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Modifying certain provisions of the optometry law relating to scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
public health and welfarehealth and human servicesfederal and state affairs
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Higher malpractice coverage for providers
Starting January 1, 2022, health care providers face higher malpractice coverage minimums: $500,000 per claim and $1,500,000 per year. At renewal or when you get coverage, you must pick a fund option: Option 1 ($500,000/$1,500,000) or Option 2 ($1,500,000/$4,500,000). The board may change amounts, but coverage cannot be set below $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 per year. Some self‑insuring facilities can opt out if their captive insurance meets the minimums. The fund board can also grant temporary exemptions if you verify in writing you will not practice in Kansas during the exemption period.
Broader optometry care, higher standard
Optometrists can use more medical devices and prescribe topical and oral drugs through all routes, but not intraocular injections. The law allows foreign‑body removal, irrigation of tear drainage, chalazion incision and curettage, removal and biopsy of certain skin lesions, laser capsulotomy, and laser trabeculoplasty. The Board can add more procedures after advice from the interprofessional advisory committee. If you treat adult open‑angle glaucoma or do the listed procedures, you must meet the same standard of care as a medical doctor.
New insurance rules for optometrists
Optometry license applicants must show the Board proof of professional liability insurance in an amount the Board accepts. Beginning January 1, 2028, optometrists credentialed to do chalazion I&C, removal and biopsy of skin lesions, laser capsulotomy, or laser trabeculoplasty are subject to the higher insurance limits under subsection (a) (for example, $500,000 per claim and $1,500,000 per year). You are exempt from those fund requirements if the initial fund surcharge is more than 15%.
New optometrist credentialing, fees, reporting
Graduated on or after July 1, 2020? The Board grants credentialing on request. Graduated before that date? You must finish a Board‑approved 32‑hour certification with class, clinical/lab work, and testing. All credentialing applicants must submit a sworn application and pay an extra fee the Board sets to cover costs. The Board may require fingerprinting and state and national background checks, with a fee that funds processing. Credentialed optometrists must file quarterly reports with their name, how many procedures they performed, where each was done, and the outcome for each procedure or patient; reports must be certified. The Board publishes compiled, redacted data each year starting July 1, 2027; public posting ends July 1, 2031.
Advisory group and optometrist board seat
The Board creates a seven‑member Interprofessional Advisory Committee with a nonvoting chair, three optometrists, and three ophthalmologists. It advises on clinical issues, procedures, coding, and new technologies. Members serve three years, get no pay, and the Board pays expenses. The healthcare stabilization fund board grows from 11 to 12 members, adding a licensed optometrist from nominees by the Kansas Optometric Association; the insurance commissioner appoints members.
Public directory of licensed optometrists
The Board must keep a public directory of all licensed optometrists. It lists names and addresses and is available at the Board’s office for the public.
Old statutes repealed; law now active
This act takes effect when it is published in the statute book. It repeals several statutes, including K.S.A. 40‑3402, 40‑3403, 65‑1501, 65‑1509a, 65‑1512, 65‑1514, 65‑1523, 74‑1504, 74‑1505, and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 65‑1501a and 65‑1505.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
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
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on Thursday, March 12, 2026
3/13/2026HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Tuesday, March 3, 2026
3/3/2026HouseEngrossed on Thursday, February 26, 2026
2/27/2026HouseConcurred with amendments; Yea: 98 Nay: 23
2/26/2026HouseFinal Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 34 Nay: 6
2/18/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
2/17/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Senator Gossage
2/17/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by Senator Gossage was adopted
2/17/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Senator Clifford
2/17/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by Senator Clifford was rejected
2/17/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as further amended
2/17/2026SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Public Health and Welfare
2/10/2026SenateHearing: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 8:30 AM Room 142-S
1/29/2026SenateHearing: Monday, March 24, 2025, 8:30 AM Room 142-S
3/24/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Public Health and Welfare
3/19/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed
3/18/2025HouseEmergency Final Action - Passed; Yea: 97 Nay: 24
3/18/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
3/18/2025SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed by Committee on Health and Human Services
3/14/2025HouseHearing: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 1:30 PM Room 112-N
3/12/2025HouseHearing: Thursday, March 6, 2025, 1:30 PM Room 112-N - CANCELED
3/6/2025HouseWithdrawn from Committee on Federal and State Affairs; Rereferred to Committee on Health and Human Services
2/26/2025HouseWithdrawn from Committee on Health and Human Services; Referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs
2/18/2025HouseIntroduced
2/3/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Health and Human Services
2/3/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended by Senate Committee
As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole
As introduced
Enrolled
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