IC 25-24-1-1 Indiana Optometry Board; Organization; Powers and Duties

• Library: Indiana Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through P.L. 255-2023
• Year: 2023
• Citation: IC 25-24-1-1

(a) There is created the Indiana optometry board (referred to in this chapter as the board), whose duty it shall be to carry out this chapter. The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the governor. Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, four (4) of these members must have been resident optometrists, licensed under this chapter, engaged in the actual practice of optometry in Indiana for a period of five (5) years prior to their appointment, and not more than three (3) of the optometrist members may belong to the same political party. Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, the fifth member of the board, to represent the general public, shall be a resident of this state who has never been associated with optometry in any way other than as a consumer. The appointed members appointed before July 1, 2019, shall serve for a term of three (3) years each, and each shall hold office until a successor is appointed. The appointed members appointed after June 30, 2019, shall serve a term under IC 25-1-6.5. A member may be removed under IC 25-1-6.5-4. The members of the board, before entering on their duties, shall each take and subscribe to the oath required to be taken by other state officers, which shall be administered by the secretary of state and filed in the office of the secretary of state, and the board shall have a common seal. The board:

(1) shall administer oaths and take affidavits as required by this chapter, certified under the hand and the seal of the board;

(2) shall require the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records, and papers pertinent to any matters coming before the board; and

(3) for that purpose may issue a subpoena for any witness or a subpoena duces tecum to compel the production of any books, records, papers, or documents, directed to the sheriff of the county where the witness resides or is to be found, which shall be served and returned in the same manner as subpoenas in civil actions in the circuit court are served and returned.

(b) The board shall adopt rules, and do any and all things not inconsistent with this chapter which may be necessary or expedient for the effective enforcement of this chapter, for the full and efficient performance of its duties under this chapter, and for the reasonable regulation of the profession and practice thereof by persons licensed under this chapter.

(c) The board shall adopt rules, not inconsistent with this chapter, governing applicants and applications for license under this chapter and governing the examination of applicants before beginning the practice of optometry in this state, and shall establish a schedule of qualifications of applicants, and a schedule of the minimum requirements with which applicants for examination must comply before they can be examined or receive a license, which schedules of qualifications of applicants and of minimum requirements shall be kept in a record for that purpose by the board.