Two Scope Bills Fail, Several Others Pushed to 2026

Four states are still actively pursuing optometric scope expansion for 2025: New Jersey, Ohio, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Photo: Nate Lighthizer, OD. Click image to enlarge. So far this year, optometry has secured two significant victories in its push to expand the scope of practice. Montana enacted its new laser law in mid-April, authorizing its ODs to perform several laser and surgical procedures. Two weeks later, West Virginia joined the ranks by passing a similar bill. These two achievements brought the total count of laser states in the US to 14.As many states wrap up or near the end of their legislative sessions for 2025, several others continue to actively pursue scope bills this year. Progress varies, with some states moving swiftly through the process while others face delays as bills remain stalled in their respective committees for various reasons, such as legislative staffing shortages, time constraints or ongoing negotiations. Among the states with bills still under consideration for 2025 are New Jersey, Ohio, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.Although their legislative sessions have officially adjourned for the year, several states are gearing up to continue their pursuit of two-year bills in 2026. South Carolina, Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri are among those set to advance their legislative efforts once the new session begins, with Vermont likely to join this list after its session concludes on Friday. Scope bills in two states recently met less fortunate fates. In Florida, legislation proposing optometric laser authority was “indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration” earlier this month, despite the House ruling in favor of the bill a couple of weeks prior. Additionally, Maine experienced a setback when its laser bill was defeated on May 15, although, on a brighter note, it has been approved to continue its consideration into the next legislative session.