A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 40-37-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY MAY ISSUE RESTRICTED VOLUNTEER MEMBER LICENSES TO OPTOMETRISTS FROM OTHER STATES WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUPERVISION, DURATION, AND REGULATION OF SUCH LICENSES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-10, RELATING TO MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF OPTOMETRISTS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-30, RELATING TO LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-40, RELATING TO POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE BOARD SHALL REQUIRE LICENSED OPTOMETRISTS TO MEET EDUCATIONAL AND COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-245, RELATING TO EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT, SO AS TO ALLOW EXAMINATION EQUIVALENTS AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-290, RELATING TO THE PURCHASING, PRESCRIBING, AND ADMINISTERING PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS BY OPTOMETRISTS, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMIT THE PERMISSIBLE USE OF SUCH MEDICATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-310, RELATING TO REFERRALS FOR TREATMENT OF EYE DISEASES, SO AS TO REMOVE PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA AND PROVISION OF SURGERY; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-330, RELATING TO USE OF OPTOMETRISTS' SERVICES AUTHORIZED FOR AGENCY AND SCHOOL-REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE OPTOMETRISTS MAY PROVIDE VISION OR EYE CARE SERVICES AT A SCHOOL IF APPROVED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-420, RELATING TO PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING CERTAIN LICENSEES, SO AS TO DELETE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS, TO PROVIDE PERSONS LICENSED AS OPTOMETRISTS IN THIS STATE MAY CONTINUE PRACTICING UNDER CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS EXCEPT THAT SUCH PERSONS LICENSED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2013, MUST FULFILL CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM CERTAIN TREATMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-79-30, RELATING TO PROVISIONS LIMITING LIABILITY FOR VOLUNTEER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS UNDER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE LAWS, SO AS TO REMOVE A PROVISION CONCERNING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS TO PATIENTS, AND TO INCLUDE OPTOMETRISTS AMONG THE VOLUNTEERS INCLUDED IN THESE PROVISIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-30-310, RELATING TO IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR FREE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, SO AS TO INCLUDE VOLUNTEER OPTOMETRISTS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 40-37-300 RELATING TO ESTABLISHING PHARMACIES OR SELLING PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS, AND DISPENSING CONTACT LENSES.
Sponsored bills
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND ALAYSHA MAPLE FOR BEING NAMED THE 2025 DAILY JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL STRENGTH AND WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A STELLAR SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND THE SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF PEARL FRYAR OF LEE COUNTY, TO HONOR HIS REMARKABLE TALENT, AND TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE HAMMOND SCHOOL VARSITY COMPETITIVE CHEERLEADING TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON WINNING THE 2025 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE SAM STOCKTON IN HIS BATTLE WITH BATTEN DISEASE AND TO DECLARE JUNE 9, 2026, AS "BATTEN DISEASE AWARENESS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN ORDER TO BRING STATEWIDE ATTENTION TO THIS RARE AND DEVASTATING CONDITION.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JONATHAN C. CHILDERS, A FOURTH-YEAR ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE WITH THE CHARLESTON ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON RECEIVING FIRST PLACE IN THE 2026 ABC NATIONAL CRAFT CHAMPIONSHIPS.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND APPLAUD THE FORT MILL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM ON CAPTURING THE 2025 CLASS AAAAA, DIVISION 2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND TO CONGRATULATE THESE ATHLETES AND THEIR COACHES ON AN OUTSTANDING SEASON.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR STELLA GRACE BURROUGHS, A STUDENT AT THE FAIRFIELD MAGNET SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR BEING THE STATE WINNER OF THE 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA CHILDREN'S BOOK CHALLENGE.
A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE BIG HOMIE LIL HOMIE MENTORING PROGRAM AND ITS MISSION TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER YOUTH THROUGH MEANINGFUL MENTORSHIP; TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LOCAL LEADERS, BUSINESSES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTNER WITH, VOLUNTEER FOR, AND INVEST IN THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM; AND TO ENCOURAGE THE EXPLORATION OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE RESOURCES, VISIBILITY, AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO EXPAND THE OUTREACH AND IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM.