PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELL NOW) Crossover Day occurred Wednesday of week seven. That is the day all House and Senate bills have to pass their chamber of origin. Appropriation bills are an exception to that rule as they have a few more days.
House Bill 1099 expands the practice of Optometry. This bill will allow Optometrists to perform more procedures and establishes educational standards for those procedures.
There have been a number of bills over the years to expand scopes of practice for medical professionals. Rural areas often have difficulty recruiting medical professionals and health care workers and patients often have to travel farther or wait longer for treatments. I have generally supported bills that allow more flexibility to fill South Dakota’s health care needs. Bills such as HB 1099 have a direct impact on District 19 and across the state as residents can get more services while staying closer to home. There have been a number of interstate compact bills this session for counselors, nurses, and social workers which also look to address workforce needs in those areas. I voted for all of those earlier in session and voted in favor of HB 1099; it passed the Senate, 23-11.
Two weeks of session remain.
I can be contacted at 605-660-6468 or kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislature.gov.