Scope of Practice (AB 1570)

COA Voting, In Favor Of, Need Action

 1/25/2024 – COA’s scope of practice legislation held in committee

COA’s legislation to allow optometrists to use lasers, remove certain lesions and perform corneal crosslinking was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee last week and can not move forward this year.

Passing legislation is never easy. However, each year that passes, the arguments in support of the bill get stronger. We plan to continue to fight for our patient’s rights for quality eye care from their local optometrist.

Past Updates

1/18/24 – AB 1570 is dead. It was held back on Assembly Appropriations Committee Suspense File – this means there was no vote and no official reason given.

We had about a dozen optometrists show up in person to testify in support at the Business and Professions Committee Hearing with very little notice. 

23 COA members met with their lawmakers in person or via zoom to advocate for this legislation. 

248 people called their lawmakers in the last two weeks. Some had their family and employees call too.

These actions didn’t go unnoticed at the Capitol. This was the issue that everyone in the building was talking about.

COA’s lobbying team is regrouping and looking at our options for moving this issue forward.

We are not ready to give up the fight! Click here to register for COA’s Legislative Day on Monday, February 26 in Sacramento. In addition to this issue, we need your help to increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and allow Medi-Cal lab choice. 

September 2023 – COA’s sponsored legislation to increase the optometric scope of practice is still alive and eligible for hearing next year. Click here to send a letter to your lawmakers in support of these bills.

COA supports AB 1570 (Low), which would expand the scope of practice by allowing optometrists to use lasers and remove lesions from around the eye. This bill was pulled from hearing by the author in an attempt to address concerns from the opposition and governor. It is now a two-year bill and will be considered again in January.