2023 -- H 6398

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LC002960

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- OPTICIANS

     Introduced By: Representatives Finkelman, and Baginski

     Date Introduced: May 12, 2023

     Referred To: House 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 or has successfully completed an apprenticeship program registered in accordance with

chapter 45 of title 28, consisting of not less than four thousand one hundred (4,100) hours and

completed in not less than two (2) years; 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;

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

***

     This act would provide as an alternative to graduation from a two (2) year school of

opticianry that the education requirement for licensing may be satisfied by completion of an

apprentice program of not less than four thousand one hundred (4,100) hours, in not less than two

(2) years, in order to become a licensed optician.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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