OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 6174

AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE OR DISPENSING OF CONTACT LENSES

SUMMARY:

This bill prohibits a person or entity from selling, dispensing, or distributing contact lenses to patients in Connecticut unless: (1) the patients transmits or mails to the entity a valid contact lens prescription; (2) a licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist transmits orally, electronically, or in writing a copy of a valid prescription or specification for contact lenses to the entity with the patient's written authorization; or (3) a licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist verifies orally or in writing the valid prescription or specification for contact lenses upon the patient's written authorization.

Practitioners who receive the patient's written authorization to verify the prescription or a specification must verify it within three business days from the date of the patient's authorization. Verification must include information on (1) the manufacturer, (2) base curve, (3) diameter, and (4) power of the contact lenses. The bill prohibits an optician, optometrist, or opthalmologist from verifying a prescription or specification if it was issued more than 24 months before.

All communications and correspondence received by entities selling, dispensing, or distributing the lenses must be kept for three years from the date of receipt and are subject to state and federal confidentiality requirements.

The bill defines "contact lenses" as lenses (1) having a spherical, cylindrical, or prismatic power or curvature; (2) made according to a current prescription; and (3) intended for wear on the eye surface for vision correction or cosmetic purposes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2003

COMMITTEE ACTION

Public Health Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute