Committee clears bill allowing optometrists to serve on state and national boards

Sen. Boudreau’s Senate Bill 10, which would remove a prior restriction preventing certain optometrists from serving concurrently on the Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners and on regional or national boards, was reported favorably by the House Committee of Health and Welfare.

Sen. Boudreau said the earlier legislation had the unintended effect of forcing practitioners to choose between state service and national representation. He described SB 10 as a “cleanup” to allow active, experienced professionals to represent Louisiana both locally and nationally. He said the optometry association supports the change.

Representatives on the committee praised the sponsor’s work on optometry governance and the profession’s recent reforms and outreach, including efforts in schools and community clinics. Several optometry leaders were present and registered support on green cards; committee staff listed Dr. Kevin Kasovich and Dr. Cynthia Baker among those who would provide information if requested.

Representative Fisher moved to report SB 10 favorably; the chair called for objections, and the bill was reported favorable with no objections recorded.

The measure was framed as regulatory cleanup rather than a policy expansion; no fiscal or programmatic changes were discussed during the hearing.