HB 213 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

EXPAND OPTOMETRY ACT

HB 213 proposes to expand the scope of practice for optometrists in New Mexico by adding specific minor surgical procedures to the definition of "practice of optometry." The bill would allow optometrists to perform procedures like removing superficial eyelid lesions, foreign bodies from the eye, and certain laser treatments for conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma - previously restricted to ophthalmologists. It also grants the Board of Optometry additional authority to develop certification standards for pharmaceutical use and laser procedures. This change directly affects optometrists in New Mexico by expanding their permitted clinical services without physician supervision. The bill, currently in committee review, does not alter existing exemptions for physicians or eyeglass sellers.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → HC substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the scope of practice for optometrists in New Mexico by allowing them to perform additional laser procedures and administer certain pharmaceutical agents under specific conditions. The changes include new credentialing requirements, reporting obligations for adverse outcomes, and expanded definitions of what constitutes the practice of optometry.

Scope change

The bill significantly broadens the scope of practice for optometrists by adding new laser procedures they can perform with proper credentialing and clarifying the use of pharmaceutical agents for diagnosing visual defects.

SCOPE

Expanded the definition of 'practice of optometry' to include administration of drugs for diagnosing visual defects and added new in-office surgical procedures including laser applications for glaucoma and capsular clouding treatment.

REQUIREMENT

Added new credentialing requirements for optometrists to perform laser procedures, requiring either graduation from an accredited optometry program with national examination or completion of 32 clock-hours of training plus supervised practice of specific procedures.

Requires optometrists to report adverse outcomes from laser procedures to the board within ten days of occurrence.

Expanded the Board of Optometry's duties to include developing and administering certification for pharmaceutical agent use and credentialing requirements for laser procedures.

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for the board to suspend an optometrist's license for sixty days if they use pharmaceutical agents without prior certification.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'ophthalmic lens', 'contact lens', 'prescription', 'eyeglasses', and 'board' to clarify terminology used in the Optometry Act.

Floor votes · House Feb 14, 2026

How they voted

52–10

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 66

Feb 14, 2026

D Democratic40

35 Yea 3 Nay 2

87% Yea

R Republican26

17 Yea 7 Nay 2

65% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 15, 2026

Introduced

Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee

upper

Feb 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Sent to House Health & Human Services Committee & House Judiciary Committee

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors