New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB213: EXPAND OPTOMETRY ACT
Status: Passed one chamber, February 15, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to licensing; amending sections of the optometry act to expand the scope of practice and provide the board of optometry with additional powers and duties.
From the committee substitute text, February 4, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSING; AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE OPTOMETRY ACT TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND PROVIDE THE BOARD OF OPTOMETRY WITH ADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 61-2-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1973, Chapter 353, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read: "61-2-2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Optometry Act: A. "practice of optometry" means: (1) the employment of any subjective or objective means or methods, including but not limited to the use of lenses, prisms, autorefractors or other automated testing devices, and includes the prescription or administration of drugs for the purpose of diagnosing the visual defects or abnormal conditions of the human eye and its .233668.2 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ HHHC/HB adnexa; (2) the employing, adapting or prescribing of preventive or corrective measures, including but not limited to lenses, prisms, contact or corneal lenses or other optical appliances, ocular exercises, vision therapy, vision training and vision rehabilitation services, and includes the prescription or administration of all drugs rational for the correction, relief or referral of visual defects or abnormal conditions of the human eye and its adnexa; and (3) does not include the use of surgery or injections in the treatment of eye diseases except for the use …
Sponsors
- Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D, HD-015) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Sent to SJC - Referrals: SJC
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:56 N:10
- : HJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
- : Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC/HJC
- : Action Postponed Indefinitely
Votes
- House Floor Vote (February 14, 2026): 56 yea, 10 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES, LICENSURE
Common questions
- What is HB213?
- HB213 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): EXPAND OPTOMETRY ACT.
- What does HB213 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to licensing; amending sections of the optometry act to expand the scope of practice and provide the board of optometry with additional powers and duties.
- What is the status of HB213?
- Passed one chamber as of February 15, 2026. Latest action: Sent to SJC - Referrals: SJC (February 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB213?
- Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D, HD-015).
- Where is the official record for HB213?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=213&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.