FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

POF encourages all licensed opticians to join us to stand together in support of your profession as advocates of protecting the health and welfare of the public.

If you are already a POF member, thank you for your continued support. If you are not a member, please JOIN NOW and help support our efforts in protecting your license. Please reach out to your fellow opticians, students, and apprentices. Ask them to become a member of POF as membership is more important now than ever.

Professional Opticians of Florida has the only representation in the House and Senate working on behalf of you and all Florida Opticians.

See well,

Dee

Dee Pace

Executive Director

Professional Opticians of Florida

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Optician's for Better Vision Political Action Committee (PAC)

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead

2021 Legislative Update

Great news for Florida Opticians! POF received the news from our Lobbyist, Former Senator Steve Geller that Senator Diaz filed his deregulation bill again. Florida Statue 484 (the statute that regulates Opticianry) IS NOT included in the bill.

As you may recall, Opticians were included in Senator Diaz’s deregulation bill last year. Thanks to you and the huge campaign efforts lead by POF, we successfully defeated that bill. Through our efforts, not only were we able to defeat last year’s bill but we were not included in this year’s bill.

These victories don’t “just happen”...it’s the result of hard work by POF and donations made toward Opticians for Better Vision - via POF - which is used in lobbying efforts with our state legislature. Every dollar donated to Opticians for Better Vision in this last year, clearly assisted POF in sharing The POF Vision with state lawmakers. Those lawmakers saw it fit to protect the licenses of opticians in the state, thereby protecting the public.

Thanks to all who donated to Opticians for Better Vision!

While other bills can still be filed, we are looking good so far. If you are not a member of the Professional Opticians of Florida, please join today. POF, membership with a purpose!! https://pof.org/Join-POF

Congratulations on your victory!!

Friday, March 13th marked the final adjournment of the 2020 Legislative Session, also known as, “Sine Die.” While House Bill 707 passed in its chamber, every effort was made to ensure that Senate Bill 1124 would not move forward without amending all healthcare professions from the bill. Opticians around the state and our allies in other states, sent over 10,000 emails to Florida Legislators stating their concerns. We are happy to report that both House Bill 707 and Senate Bill 1124 were indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration.

Professional Opticians of Florida would like to thank each and every Optician, patient, doctor, family member and friend who took the time to make a positive impact on Opticianry in Florida.

Professional Opticians of Florida will be reaching out soon with a plan to continue to protect Opticianry in the 2021 session with a local legislative outreach. Please continue to support Opticians for Better Vision, your Political Committee.

Congratulations on your victory!

Steve Geller, Esq.

Broward County Vice-Mayor

Former Florida Senator

Professional Opticians of Florida Lobbyist

Join POF Today

Optician's for Better Vision Political Action Committee (PAC)

DONATE NOW

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

What can you do?

1. Join POF as a member

2. Donate to Opticians for Better Vision, your Political Committee (PC)

2021 SESSION DATES

August 1, 2020 Deadline for filing claim bills (Rule 4.81(2))

January 29, 2021 5:00 p.m., deadline for submitting requests for drafts of general bills and joint resolutions, including requests for companion bills

February 26, 2021 5:00 p.m., deadline for approving final drafts of general bills and joint resolutions, including companion bills

March 2, 2021 Regular Session convenes (Article III, section 3(b), Constitution) 12:00 noon, deadline for filing bills for introduction (Rule 3.7(1))

April 17, 2021 Motion to resonsider made and considered the same day (Rule 6.4(4)) All bills are immediately certified (Rule 6.8)

April 20, 2021 50th day—last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings (Rule 2.9(2))

April 30, 2021 —last day of Regular Session (Article III, section 3(d), Constitution)

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