HOUSE BILL 21

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Jimmie C. Hall

AN ACT

RELATING TO BLIND AND DISABLED PERSONS; PROVIDING FOR A LICENSED OPTOMETRIST TO QUALIFY A PERSON AS BLIND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 28-7-19 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 108, Section 5) is amended to read:

     "28-7-19. QUALIFICATION AS BLIND--EXAMINATIONS REQUIRED.--

          A. Qualification of a person as blind shall be determined by means of an eye examination by a licensed ophthalmologist or a licensed optometrist. Blindness shall be the major handicap in cases of multiple handicaps. Persons who are not blind but who have been certified by a licensed ophthalmologist or a licensed optometrist as suffering from a deteriorating condition [which] that will result in blindness also qualify as blind.

          B. The commission for the blind shall determine the procedure to be followed for the examination of any person to establish blindness and shall maintain a list of all ophthalmologists and optometrists currently licensed in New Mexico. The person may choose any licensed ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist to make the examination and the cost shall be paid by the commission pursuant to its regulations."

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