TennesseeSB 2076114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 8, relative to optometry.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Optometry

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Patient safety standards for optometrist care

Beginning January 1, 2028, Tennessee optometrists must meet the same care standard as other physicians providing similar services. Those using local anesthetic for covered procedures must give the board proof of current CPR certification from a board-approved organization. An automated external defibrillator must be present at all times in the office where they administer that anesthetic. The State Board of Optometry must set certification, training, scope, and safety rules through the state’s administrative rulemaking process. The law’s rulemaking provisions took effect when it became law, before the other changes begin in 2028.

Optometrists remain barred from major surgeries

Beginning January 1, 2028, Tennessee’s expanded optometry rules still exclude many major eye procedures. Optometrists cannot perform retinal laser treatment, LASIK, PRK, cataract surgery, eye removal, or injections into the eye’s vitreous gel. The exclusions also cover corneal transplants, full-thickness corneal or scleral cuts, and incisions into the iris, ciliary body, or vitreous. Surgery on the retina, natural lens, sclera, or ciliary body is prohibited, as are lasers within the vitreous. Optometrists cannot perform extensive eyelid surgery for cancer, complex reconstructive or cosmetic repairs, or conjunctival repair using grafts. General anesthesia and tear-drainage surgery beyond specified therapeutic procedures are also prohibited. Emergency anterior chamber paracentesis—draining fluid to immediately lower pressure inside the eye—is an exception to the incision ban.

More optometrist treatments with certification rules

Beginning January 1, 2028, Tennessee optometrists can provide more care for eyes, eyelids, and nearby tissues. This includes related medicines through approved routes, procedures, imaging, lab tests, eye exercises, and prescription or cosmetic lenses. Surgical authority depends on the board’s assessment of the optometrist’s education, training, and experience. Local-anesthetic procedures require certification and board rules. Allowed procedures include draining eyelid abscesses, treating non-recurrent chalazion lumps, and removing skin lesions no wider than 5 millimeters, only skin-deep. Optometrists can repair simple eyelid cuts up to 2.5 centimeters and remove eyelid foreign bodies without involving eyelid edges or tear-drainage structures. They can also give injections into muscle, under the skin, or within the skin to reduce signs of facial aging. Only three laser procedures are allowed: peripheral iridotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, and YAG capsulotomy. Each requires board certification and proof of classroom and clinical laser training from an accredited optometry school or college. Optometrists can also give emergency diphenhydramine, epinephrine, or equivalent medicines to treat a severe allergic reaction.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Raumesh Akbari
Democrat • Senate
Janice Bowling
Republican • Senate
Rusty Crowe
Republican • Senate
Ferrell Haile
Republican • Senate
Bobby Harshbarger
Republican • Senate
Tom Hatcher
Republican • Senate
Ed Jackson
Republican • Senate
London Lamar
Democrat • Senate
Becky D. Massey
Republican • Senate
Reeves
Affiliation unavailable
Jessie Seal
Republican • Senate
Steve Southerland
Republican • Senate
Stevens
Affiliation unavailable
Page Walley
Republican • Senate
Ken Yager
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 13

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 3/30/2026

Yes: 29 • No: 2

House vote • 3/26/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/26/2026

Yes: 80 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/12/2026

Yes: 28 • No: 3

Senate vote • 2/18/2026

SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

Effective date(s) 04/14/2026, 01/01/2028
5/5/2026
Pub. Ch. 714
5/5/2026
Signed by Governor.
4/14/2026Senate
Transmitted to Governor for action.
4/2/2026Senate
Signed by H. Speaker
4/2/2026House
Signed by Senate Speaker
4/1/2026Senate
Enrolled and ready for signatures
4/1/2026Senate
Sponsor(s) Added.
3/30/2026Senate
Concurred, Ayes 29, Nays 2, PNV 1 (Amendment 1 - HA0725)
3/30/2026Senate
Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 3/30/2026
3/27/2026Senate
Passed H., as am., Ayes 80, Nays 7, PNV 1
3/26/2026House
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0725)
3/26/2026House
Subst. for comp. HB.
3/26/2026House
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
3/16/2026House
Sponsor(s) Added.
3/12/2026Senate
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/12/2026Senate
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 28, Nays 3, PNV 1
3/12/2026Senate
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0495)
3/12/2026Senate
Sponsor(s) Added.
3/11/2026Senate
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/12/2026
3/10/2026Senate
Senate Reset on calendar for 3/12/2026
2/23/2026Senate
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 2/23/2026
2/20/2026Senate
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
2/18/2026Senate
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/18/2026
2/11/2026Senate
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
2/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

HA0725 (Substitute)
3/26/2026
PDF
Enrolled / Public Chapter
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
Introduced
PDF
SA0495
PDF

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