3844                                      JOINT RESOLUTIONS

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to
the Governor of Maryland.

Approved April 22, 1975.

No. 32
(Senate Joint Resolution 67)

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

The Establishment of a School of Optometry

FOR the purpose of requesting that a School of Optometry
be established in the State of Maryland.

Maryland is one of the few states of its size not to
have a School of Optometry. Although the Maryland system
of higher education provides for instruction in other
professions, this glaring lack of facilities for
optometry is causing a large hardship on all those
concerned.

Maryland men and women who desire to become
optometrists must leave the State in order to receive
instruction. This causes great monetary hardship and
also deprives the State of Maryland of the research
facilities that are concomitant with a School of
Optometry.

A recent report by the Southern Regional Education
Board, recognizing the shortage, recommended a new
regional school; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
the proper authorities study the possibility of solving
this Optometric Manpower Shortage in the State of
Maryland; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this matter be referred to the
Maryland Council on Higher Education to study ways in
which sufficient professional manpower can be obtained in
order to protect and promote the visual welfare of the
public; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Maryland Council on Higher
Education further study and investigate the feasibility
of establishing a School of Optometry in Maryland; and be
it further