(Feb. 4, 2026) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee continued working on bills, including House Bill 2223, which amends certain provisions of the optometry law regarding the scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.

The committee discussed amendments that would place optometrists in the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund under certain circumstances, authorize the Board of Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund to make changes, modify the review processes for recommendations, include continuing education requirements and change the process and makeup of the interprofessional advisory committee. The global amendment was passed by the committee.

Senator Bill Clifford (R-Garden City) brought forth several additional amendments, including:

• Would eliminate ocular injections, biopsies, and lens modifications by using light or laser within the allowable scope of practice. The amendment was not adopted.
• Would eliminate laser surgery from the allowable scope of practice. This amendment was adopted.
• A change in the standard of care that an optometrist would need to make based on a broader scope. This amendment was not adopted.

The committee will continue work on the bill tomorrow.