Minnesota House passes HF 2464, adopting optometry scope changes and other health provisions

The Minnesota House passed House File 2464, an act relating to state government that modifies several health and licensing provisions, approving the bill on third reading as amended by unanimous recorded votes on the House floor, according to the House transcript.

Representative Backer, the bill’s author, told members the measure is bipartisan and highlighted several provisions, saying, “Some of the high points of the bill is the sensitive exams... we have the maternal death studies... we also have a provision in this bill that, makes it so it directs, data about trafficking to us as legislators... safe place, which allows mothers to, drop off unwanted live babies without criminal penalizing.”

The bill includes multiple health-related provisions: expanded authority for optometry scope of practice enacted through Amendment A13, funding and study language for maternal death reviews with attention to minority mothers, a data-sharing provision about trafficking for legislators, a “safe place” drop-off provision for unwanted live infants, language on delegation between physicians and physician assistants, and an expansion of revenue-bond authority to include certain health care facilities, the author said.

Why it matters: Supporters said the optometry change and other provisions will improve access to care in areas with workforce shortages and modernize licensing and health-program language. Representative Bierman, who moved Amendment A13 expanding optometrists’ prescribing and procedure authority, said the change “will improve eye care for all of your constituents.” Representative Gander, speaking from professional experience, described training and workforce shortages and said the scope change will help access in communities with few ophthalmologists.

Floor action and votes Bierman moved Amendment A13 to expand optometry scope of practice; the amendment was put to a roll-call vote and adopted 133-0. Bonner moved Amendment A6, described on the floor as a technical update provided by the Minnesota Management and Budget department to remove outdated language; that amendment was also adopted 133-0. After adoption of the amendments, the clerk called the third reading; the House passed HF 2464, as amended, on third reading by a recorded vote of 134-0 and agreed to the bill title.

Discussion, testimony and oversight Representative Backer described the bill as bipartisan and noted committee debate and staff work. Representative Bierman said the bill “moves us a bit closer to what modern scope looks like” for optometry and emphasized that oversight remains with the Board of Optometry. Representative Nadeau urged support for the optometry amendment, noting ongoing negotiations to find common ground between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Representative Gander, who identified himself as a practicing optometrist, outlined optometric education and clinical experience and said expanding minor eyelid procedures and prescribing would ease patient wait times in parts of the state.

Process notes and next steps Roll-call votes were requested for both amendments; the clerk recorded the votes on the floor. The transcript does not record any motions to recommit, veto actions, or additional amendments beyond A13 and A6. The bill passed as amended on third reading; the transcript does not record subsequent enrolled-bill processing, conference committee details, or a date for final enactment into law.

Votes at a glance - Amendment A13 (optometry scope expansion): Adopted, recorded vote 133 ayes, 0 nays. - Amendment A6 (technical update, Minnesota Management and Budget): Adopted, recorded vote 133 ayes, 0 nays. - House File 2464, as amended (third reading): Passed, recorded vote 134 ayes, 0 nays.

(Reporting based on the provided House floor transcript; the transcript did not specify an exact calendar date for the session.)