Committee hears split testimony on S64 to let some optometrists perform defined laser, injection and minor surgical procedures

The Senate Government Operations & Military Affairs committee on May 6 heard hours of testimony on S64, a bill that would add an "advanced therapeutic procedures" specialty to Vermont law and allow optometrists who obtain that endorsement to perform a tightly defined list of in‑office laser procedures, injections and minor eyelid surgeries.

Legislative Counsel Jen Kirby told the committee that S64 changes the statutory definition of the practice of optometry and creates an exclusive list of advanced therapeutic procedures that a specialty holder could perform. The list includes excision and biopsy of selected eyelid/adnexal lesions, chalazion excision or drainage, repair of limited eyelid lacerations, YAG capsulotomy, laser peripheral iridotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, a range of eyelid and adexa injections (including subconjunctival injections) and certain emergency vaccinations if authorized by the health commissioner. The bill also adds a 30‑day adverse‑event reporting requirement and would take effect July 1, 2028, to allow the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)…