SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 890

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:JUNE 20, 1996

      The Senate Health Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 890 without recommendation.

      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.