2018 -- H 7608

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LC004582

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE CONSUMER PROTECTION IN EYE CARE

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Jacquard, Lima, Vella-Wilkinson, McNamara, and
Morin

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2018

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 95

THE CONSUMER PROTECTION IN EYE CARE ACT

     23-95-1. Short title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Consumer Protection in Eye Care Act".

     23-95-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Automated computer program" means automated equipment or application designed

to be used on a telephone, a computer, or an Internet-accessible device that can be used either in

person or remotely to conduct an eye assessment.

     (2) "Contact lens" means any lens placed directly on the surface of the eye, regardless of

whether or not it is intended to correct a visual defect. Contact lenses are medical devices and

include, but are not limited to any cosmetic, therapeutic, or corrective lenses.

     (3) "Delegate" means a person tasked by a provider to assist in the examination of the

eyes and adnexa or in the development of a prescription for spectacles and/or contact lenses as

part of a provider's utilization of an automated computer program or other eye examination

equipment.

     (4) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of health.

     (5) "Dispense" means the act of furnishing spectacles or contact lenses to a patient.

     (6) "Established treatment site" means a location where a patient shall seek care where

there is a provider present and sufficient technology and equipment to allow for an adequate

physical evaluation as appropriate for the patient's presenting complaint, and requires a provider

in-person patient relationship.

     (7) "Eye examination" means a physical assessment of the ocular health and visual or

refractive status of a patient that does not consist solely of objective refractive data or information

generated by an automated testing device, including an autorefractor, in order to establish a

medical or refractive diagnosis or for the correction of vision disorders.

     (8) "Eye examination equipment" means computerized or manual medical devices used to

measure refractive status and/or ocular health of the patient, including, but not limited to,

Internet-based or local computer programs, automated examination equipment, manual

examination equipment, cameras, scanning lasers, automated refracting devices, non-contact or

contact tonometers.

     (9) "In-person evaluation" means a patient evaluation conducted by a provider who is at

the same physical location as the location of the patient.

     (10) "Prescription" means a provider's handwritten or electronic order for spectacles or

contact lenses based on an eye examination.

     (11) "Provider" is a health care professional licensed under chapter 35.1 or 37 of title 5.

     (12) "Spectacles" means an optical instrument or device worn or used by an individual

that has one or more lenses designed to correct or enhance vision addressing the visual needs of

the individual wearer, commonly known as "glasses" or "eyeglasses", including spectacles that

may be adjusted by the wearer to achieve different types or levels of visual correction or

enhancement. Spectacles does not include an optical instrument or device that is not intended to

correct or enhance vision or is sold without consideration of the visual status of the individual

who will use the optical instrument or device.

     (13) "Supervision" means overseeing the utilization of a delegated automated computer

program or other eye examination equipment shall be provided by a provider. The utilization of

an automated computer program or other eye examination equipment by a delegate may be

performed if the examination has been delegated and the delegating provider provides appropriate

on-site supervision and the delegate has met necessary training requirements.

     23-95-3. Purpose.

     The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the development, establishment, and

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enforcement of standards:

     (1) To ensure and protect quality eye care for individuals receiving eye care in the state of

Rhode Island; and

     (2) For the encouragement of quality maintenance and improvement in all aspects of eye

care delivered to individuals in the state.

     23-95-4. Dispensing; Prescriptions.

     (a) Except as provided for by § 5-35.1-10, no person may dispense contact lenses or

spectacles in this state to a patient without a valid prescription from a provider.

     (b) A valid prescription for spectacles or contact lenses:

     (1) Shall contain an expiration date of not less than one year from the date of the eye

examination, unless the provider determines that it is medically appropriate for the prescription to

expire sooner. If the expiration date is less than one year from the date of the eye examination, the

provider shall inform the patient of the reasoning, and document the reasoning in the provider's

medical records for the patient.

     (2) Shall not be made based solely on information about the human eye generated by an

automated computer program.

     (3) Shall take into consideration any medical findings and any refractive error discovered

during the eye examination.

     (4) Shall consider all contact lenses used in the determination of a contact lens

prescription to be diagnostic lenses.

     (c) After the diagnostic period and the contact lenses have been adequately fitted and the

patient is released from immediate follow-up care by persons licensed and regulated by the

department, the prescribing provider shall, at no cost, provide a prescription to the patient. A

person shall not dispense or adapt contact lenses or spectacles without first receiving

authorization to do so by a prescription, except when authorized orally by a provider. Patients

who comply with such fitting and follow-up requirements as may be established by the

prescribing provider may obtain contact lenses until the expiration date listed on the prescription

from a person who may lawfully dispense contact lenses under this chapter.

     (d) No contact lenses may be sold or dispensed in this state except pursuant to a

prescription which:

     (1) Conforms to state and federal regulations governing such forms and includes the

name, address, and state licensure number of a prescribing practitioner;

     (2) Explicitly states the number of refills; provided, however, that the number of refills

shall be sufficient for, and not excessive of, the provision of the requisite number of contact

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lenses under normal use until the expiration date of the prescription;

     (3) Explicitly states that it is for contact lenses and indicates the lens brand name and

type, including all specifications necessary for the ordering or fabrication of lenses; and

     (4) Is kept on file by the person selling or dispensing the contact lenses for at least

twenty-four (24) months after the prescription is filled.

     (e) Anyone who fills a prescription bears the full responsibility of the accuracy of the

contact lenses or spectacles provided under the prescription.

     (f) At no time, without the direction of a prescriber, shall any changes or substitutions be

made in the brand or type of lenses the prescription calls for with the exceptions of tint change if

requested by the patient. However, if a prescription specifies "only" a specific color or tinted lens,

those instructions shall be observed.

     (g) All sales of and prescriptions for contact lenses in this state shall conform to the

federal Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, Pub .L. 108-164, 15 U.S.C. § 7601, et seq. The

provisions of this chapter shall be construed in aid of and in conformity with said federal act.

Civil proceedings to enforce the provisions of this chapter may be brought by any board created

under the Rhode Island department of health or by any other interested person through injunction

or other appropriate remedy.

     23-95-5. Emergent technologies.

     No person shall operate an automated computer program or other eye examination

equipment to conduct an eye assessment or to generate a prescription for contact lenses or

spectacles, unless:

     (1) Diagnostic information and data, including photographs and scans, gathered by the

automated computer program are read and interpreted by a provider;

     (2) The provider who reads and interprets the diagnostic information and data, including

photographs and scans, gathered by the automated computer program and/or delegate, has an

established doctor-patient relationship with the patient, and has performed at least one in-person

evaluation of the patient that includes the state mandated required elements for an eye

examination as provided for in § 5-35.1-16 and the rules and regulations promulgated by the

department thereunder, at an established treatment site;

     (3) The provider can verify the identity of the patient requesting treatment via the

automated computer program or other eye examination equipment;

     (4) The automated computer program or other eye examination equipment is approved by

the federal Food and Drug Administration for the intended use;

     (5) The automated computer program or other eye examination equipment is designed

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and operated in a manner that provides any applicable accommodation required by the federal

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., as amended;

     (6) The automated computer program or other eye examination equipment is used for the

collection and transmission of information and data, including photographs and scans, gather and

transmits protected health information in compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability

and Accountability Act of 1996, Pub .L. 104-191, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 300(gg), 29 U.S.C. §

1181 et seq., and 42 U.S.C. § 1320(d) et seq.;

     (7) The procedure for which the automated computer program or other eye examination

equipment is used has a recognized current procedural terminology code maintained by the

American Medical Association;

     (8) The automated computer program or other eye examination equipment prominently

displays the name, state license number and physical location of the provider who will read and

interpret the diagnostic information and data, including photographs and scans as well as non-

urgent and emergency contact information of said provider;

     (9) The owner or lessee of the automated computer program or other eye examination

equipment maintains liability insurance in an amount adequate to cover claims made by

individuals diagnosed or treated based on information and data, including photographs and scans,

generated by the service and/or automated computer program; and

     (10) There is simultaneous interaction between the provider via director two (2) way

communication with any delegate at all times, whereby the provider shall be immediately

available to respond promptly to any question or problem that may arise as a result of the service

being provided and shall be immediately available to respond promptly to any question or

problem that may arise as a result of the service being provided.

     23-95-6. Delegation; Written protocol; Supervision; Training.

     (a) Prior to delegating the performance of eye care services, including, but not limited to,

refractive eye care services, the provider shall perform an in-person initial evaluation of the

patient. The delegating provider is responsible for ensuring the delegate performing the service

has demonstrated sufficient proficiency for the services to be provided. Prior to performing the

services, the delegating provider shall inform the patient about the training and qualifications of

who will perform the services.

     (b) A provider may delegate the performance of eye care services through use of a

written protocol. The written protocol shall be reviewed annually by the provider and the delegate

and updated as necessary, be provided to the department or to any patient upon request, and

provide:

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     (1) Identification of the device being used to perform the service and its inherent

limitations;

     (2) Description of appropriate care and proper follow up, including a plan to ensure that

the service meets nationally recognized standards of care;

     (3) A quality assurance plan for ongoing management of the patient; and

     (4) A method for maintaining medical records for the service provided.

     (c) A delegate may only perform those services delegated by and under the supervision of

a provider. Supervision requires that the provider have direct two-way communication with the

delegate at all times, and the provider shall be immediately available to respond promptly to any

question or problem that may arise as a result of the service being provided.

     (d) A provider who delegates performance of eye care services shall provide, upon

request by the department, documentation of a delegate's completion of appropriate training in the

safe and effective use of all components and capabilities of an automated computer program; and

for each service being provided, it is the responsibility of the delegating provider to ensure that

the delegate is appropriately trained in the indications, appropriate use, accurate data collection,

and contraindications involved in the service being provided.

     23-95-7. Informed consent.

     It is the responsibility of the provider prior to performing remotely administered eye care

services, including, but not limited to, vision correction services, to clearly inform the patient as

to the indications and limitations of the technology to be used as well as alternative evaluation

and treatment options. This information shall be provided, in writing, to the patient and an

acknowledgement of receipt, signed by the patient, shall be maintained by the provider for a

period of two (2) years, and a copy shall be provided to the patient prior to the services being

rendered.

     23-95-8. Age minimum.

     No person shall operate an automated computer program or attempt to provide remote

vision correction services, or to conduct an eye assessment to generate a spectacle or contact lens

prescription for anyone under the age of eighteen (18) years old.

     23-95-9. Standard of care.

     Evaluation, treatment, and consultation recommendations made by a provider utilizing an

automated computer program, including issuing a prescription via electronic means, shall be held

to the same standards of appropriate practice as those in traditional in-person clinical settings.

     23-95-10. Violations; Penalty; Private right of action.

     (a) Any person who believes a violation of this chapter or the rules and regulation

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adopted pursuant thereto has occurred or been attempted may file a complaint with the

department in writing. If, upon reviewing the complaint, the department determines there is a

reasonable basis to believe a violation or attempted violation has occurred, the department shall

investigate. The department may, on its own initiative or otherwise, initiate an investigation if it

has a reasonable basis to believe a violation of the act or the rules and regulations has occurred or

been attempted. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require the department to wait until

human harm has occurred to initiate an investigation of a violation of this chapter. As part of the

investigation under this section, the department may hold hearings, administer oaths, and take

testimony in person or by deposition. Such hearings shall be conducted pursuant to the

administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. The findings of the investigation and any

hearings held pursuant to the investigation shall be in writing.

     (b) If, as a result of an investigation pursuant to this section the department finds that a

person has violated or attempted to violate this chapter, it may impose a civil penalty of not more

than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation. If the department finds that a violation or

attempted violation occurred and did not result in significant harm to human health, the

department may issue a warning instead of imposing a civil penalty. Any civil penalty imposed

pursuant to this section may be collected as provided in such section. At the request of the

department, the attorney general may file a civil action seeking an injunction or other appropriate

relief to enforce this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated thereunder.

     (c) In addition to any remedies under this chapter, the rules and regulations adopted

thereunder, or other provisions of state or federal law, a person adversely affected by a violation

of this chapter may bring action for injunctive relief and, upon prevailing, in addition to such

injunctive relief, shall recover monetary damages of no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000)

for each day found to be in violation plus attorneys' fees and costs.

     23-95-11. Rules and regulations.

     The department, in conjunction with the boards established by §§ 5-35.1-13 and 5-37-1.1,

may adopt and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this

chapter.

     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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE CONSUMER PROTECTION IN EYE CARE

ACT

***

     This act would provide for consumer protection in eye care services by developing

standards and enforcement protocols related to the utilization of emergent technologies in the

provision of eye care services, as well as for the delegation of eye care services by providers.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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