2023 -- S 0875

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LC002728

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- OPTICIANS

     Introduced By: Senators F. Lombardi, Raptakis, LaMountain, Burke, and Picard

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-35.2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-35.2 entitled "Opticians"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-35.2-2. Qualification of optician applicants.

     (a) Every applicant for licensure shall present satisfactory evidence, in the form of

affidavits properly sworn to, that he or she:

     (1) Is of good moral character; and

     (2) Has graduated from a two-year (2) school of opticianry approved by the New England

Association of Schools and Colleges or an equivalent regional accrediting authority or other

accrediting authority as may be approved by the department with consultation from the advisory

committee; and

     (3) Has successfully passed the national opticianry competency examination or any other

written examination approved by the department with consultation from the advisory committee or

has successfully completed a department approved apprenticeship program of not less than four

thousand one hundred (4,100) hours in not less than two (2) years pursuant to meeting approval of

applicable requirements of this section; and

     (4) Has successfully passed a practical examination approved by the department with

consultation from the advisory committee.

     (b) Every applicant for licensure who is or has been licensed in an alternate jurisdiction

shall present satisfactory evidence in the form of affidavits properly sworn to that he or she:

     (1) Is of good moral character; and

     (2) Has graduated from high school; and

     (3) Has graduated from a two-year (2) school of opticianry approved by the New England

Association of Schools and Colleges or an equivalent regional accrediting authority or other

accrediting authority as may be approved by the department with consultation from the advisory

committee; or has successfully completed a two-year (2) opticianry apprenticeship program; and

     (4) Has held a valid license to practice opticianry in another state for at least one year and

was in good standing during that time; and

     (5) Has practiced opticianry in this or any other state for a period of not less than one year;

and

     (6) Has successfully passed the national opticianry competency examination or any other

written examination approved by the department with consultation from the advisory committee;

and

     (7) Has successfully passed a practical exam approved by the department with consultation

from the advisory committee.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- OPTICIANS

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     This act would create a secondary path to acquire an optician’s license through an

apprenticeship program requiring four thousand one hundred (4,100) hours in not less than two (2)

years.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002728

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