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TennesseeSB 2076114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Bo Watson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Optometry

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More treatments and tests from optometrists

Beginning Jan 1, 2028, licensed optometrists in Tennessee can prescribe and give medicines for eye and eyelid problems. They can order or perform imaging and lab tests to diagnose these issues. They can do some primary eye care surgeries, but only ones the state board approves based on the optometrist’s training and experience. In emergencies, they can give epinephrine or diphenhydramine for anaphylaxis and do an anterior chamber paracentesis to quickly lower eye pressure.

Limited laser eye procedures by optometrists

Beginning Jan 1, 2028, optometrists can use lasers for certain front-of-the-eye care. The law limits surgery to three laser procedures: peripheral iridotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), and YAG capsulotomy. An optometrist must be certified by the Tennessee Board of Optometry and show approved classroom and clinical laser training. The board sets the certification rules.

Minor eyelid fixes and safety steps

Beginning Jan 1, 2028, certified optometrists can use local injectable anesthesia for certain minor eyelid care. Examples include draining an eyelid abscess, removing one small skin lesion up to 5 mm, fixing a simple eyelid cut up to 2.5 cm, and treating a nonrecurrent chalazion. They can also give certain aesthetic injections for facial aging. Any office that uses local anesthetic must keep an AED on site, and the optometrist must have current board‑approved CPR certification.

Optometrists held to doctor-level standards

Beginning Jan 1, 2028, optometrists must meet the same standard of care as other physicians when they provide similar services. This aligns care quality and legal accountability for patients.

Major eye surgeries stay with surgeons

Beginning Jan 1, 2028, optometrists are barred from many major eye surgeries. Procedures like LASIK or PRK, cataract removal, intravitreal injections, and full‑thickness corneal or scleral operations remain with surgical specialists. Patients must see those surgeons for these procedures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bo Watson

    Republican • Senate

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 Duncan Massey

    Republican • Senate

  • Shane Reeves

    Republican • Senate

  • Jessie Seal

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Southerland

    Republican • Senate

  • John Stevens

    Republican • Senate

  • 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

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/14/2026Senate

  2. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2026House

  3. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Concurred, Ayes 29, Nays 2, PNV 1 (Amendment 1 - HA0725)

    3/30/2026Senate

  7. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/30/2026Senate

  8. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 3/30/2026

    3/27/2026Senate

  9. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/26/2026House

  10. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0725)

    3/26/2026House

  11. Passed H., as am., Ayes 80, Nays 7, PNV 1

    3/26/2026House

  12. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    3/16/2026House

  13. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0495)

    3/12/2026Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 28, Nays 3, PNV 1

    3/12/2026Senate

  15. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/12/2026Senate

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/12/2026Senate

  17. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/11/2026Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/12/2026

    3/10/2026Senate

  19. Senate Reset on calendar for 3/12/2026

    2/23/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 2/23/2026

    2/20/2026Senate

  21. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0

    2/18/2026Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/18/2026

    2/11/2026Senate

  23. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

    2/5/2026Senate

  24. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/2/2026Senate

  25. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • HA0725 (Substitute)

    3/26/2026

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0495

    PDF

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