BEFORE THE BOARD OF OPTOMETRY

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

STATE OF MONTANA

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In the matter of the amendment of ARM����������������� ����)����NOTICE OF AMENDMENT,

24.168.301 definitions, 24.168.401,������������������������ ��)����ADOPTION, AND REPEAL

24.168.402, 24.168.408, and 24.168.411����������������� )

general provisions, 24.168.711 diagnostic���������������� )

permissible drugs, 24.168.901, 24.168.911�������������� )

therapeutic pharmaceutical agents,����������������������������� )

24.168.2101 and 24.168.2104, continuing����������������� )

education, 24.168.2307 screening panel,������������������� )

the adoption of NEW RULE I fee abatement,�������������� )

and the repeal of 24.168.405 examinations,��������������� )

24.168.701 approved courses and������������������������������ )

examinations, 24.168.704 new licensees,����������������� �)

24.168.904 applicants for licensure,���������������������������� )

24.168.907 therapeutic pharmaceutical�����������������������)

agents, and 24.168.2304 complaint procedure�����������)

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TO: All Concerned Persons

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1. On October 26, 2006, the Board of Optometry (board) published MAR Notice No. 24-168-37 regarding the proposed amendment, adoption, and repeal of the above-stated rules, at page 2450 of the 2006 Montana Administrative Register, issue no. 20.

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2. On November 20, 2006, a public hearing was held on the proposed amendment, adoption, and repeal of the above-stated rules in Helena. One commenter submitted comments by the November 28, 2006, deadline.

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3. The board has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the board's responses are as follows:

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COMMENT 1: One commenter stated that "opthomological" is misspelled in the title of ARM 24.168.711 and should instead be "ophthalmological".

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RESPONSE 1: The board appreciates the comment and is amending the rule catchphrase accordingly.

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COMMENT 2: One commenter stated that the term "occular" is misspelled in the title of ARM 24.168.911 and should instead be "ocular".

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RESPONSE 2: The board appreciates the comment and is amending the rule catchphrase accordingly.

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COMMENT 3: One commenter suggested that "not less than" be stricken as redundant from ARM 24.168.2101(1).

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RESPONSE 3: The board agrees that the language is redundant and unnecessary and is amending the rule accordingly.

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4. The board has amended ARM 24.168.301, 24.168.401, 24.168.402, 24.168.408, 24.168.411, 24.168.901, 24.168.2104, and 24.168.2307 exactly as proposed.

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5. The board has adopted NEW RULE I (24.168.403) exactly as proposed.

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6. The board has repealed ARM 24.168.405, 24.168.701, 24.168.704, 24.168.904, 24.168.907, and 24.168.2304 exactly as proposed.

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7. The board has amended ARM 24.168.711, 24.168.911, and 24.168.2101 with the following changes, stricken matter interlined, new matter underlined:

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24.168.711 OPTHOMOLOGICAL OPHTHALMOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTIC PERMISSIBLE DRUGS

(1) through (1)(d) remain as proposed.

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24.168.911 OCCULAR OCULAR THERAPEUTIC APPROVED DRUGS

(1) through (1)(h) remain as proposed.

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24.168.2101 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (1) Each licensed optometrist shall obtain a minimum of not less than 36 hours of continuing education every two years in scientific clinics, forums, or optometric educational studies approved by the board. The board will accept:

(a) through (4) remain as proposed.

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������������������������������������������������������������������������������BOARD OF OPTOMETRY

������������������������������������������������������������������������������DOUGLAS MCBRIDE, O.D., PRESIDENT

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/s/ DARCEE L. MOE����������������������������������������� /s/ KEITH KELLY

Darcee L. Moe��������������������������������������������������� Keith Kelly, Commissioner

Alternate Rule Reviewer����������������������������������� DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

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Certified to the Secretary of State February 26, 2007