STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1094

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 12, 1997

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1094.

      As amended by the committee, this bill amends P.L.1983, c.28 (C.26:2H-12.1) to provide that a licensed health care facility, which provides medical or surgical care, shall provide for the use of the facility by, and appropriate privileges for, a duly licensed optometrist, according to the same rules and regulations governing use and privileges as those established by the governing body of the facility for licensed physicians and dentists.

      The bill provides, however, that its provisions shall not be construed to require a hospital to grant admitting privileges to an optometrist or to permit the exercise of those privileges granted by the hospital without appropriate collaboration with the attending physician of the patient who is receiving or will receive care or treatment from the optometrist.

      The committee amendments, which are technical in nature, reflect the changes to section 1 of P.L.1983, c.28 (C.26:2H-12.1) which were made by P.L.1995, c.310.

      As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 890 (1R) (Sinagra), which was reported by the Senate Health Committee without recommendation on June 20, 1996 and is currently pending before the Senate.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996-97 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.