Opticians: regulation.

Existing law requires that dispensing opticians register with the Medical Board of California prior to engaging in the practice of a dispensing optician. Under existing law, a registered dispensing optician is required to obtain and display a separate certificate of registration at each location where his or her business is conducted. Existing law makes a violation of laws regulating a registered dispensing optician a misdemeanor. This bill would require a registered dispensing optician selling or transferring ownership of his or her place of business to return the certificate of registration to the board within 10 days of the completion of the transfer of ownership. The bill would also require the registered dispensing optician acquiring ownership of the business to file a notice with the board within 10 days of the completion of the transfer of ownership and would specify that until receipt of that notice by the board, the registered dispensing optician selling or transferring the interest remains responsible for complying with all laws regulating the optical dispensing business. Because a violation of laws regulating registered dispensing opticians is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.