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ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor S.B. 478
11-404.1 11-404.1(b)(1)(iv) of the Health Occupations Article to any individual who is
currently a therapeutically certified optometrist until July 1, 2006.
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the State Board of
Examiners in Optometry shall certify a licensed optometrist as a therapeutically
certified optometrist prior to the license renewal date if the optometrist completes the
requirements of § 11-404.1 of the Health Occupations Article, as enacted by this Act,
prior to the license renewal date, by November 30, 2005, the State Board of
Examiners in Optometry, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the State
Board of Physicians, shall adopt a collaborative practice protocol for the
administration and prescription of topical steroids by therapeutically certified
optometrists under § 11-404.2 of the Health Occupations Article as enacted by this
Act.
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the State Board of
Examiners in Optometry and the State Board of Physicians shall each report, in
accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Education,
Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Health and
Government Operations Committee by June 1, 2008, on issues related to the practice
of optometry under this Act. Each report shall suggest changes to §§ 11-404.1 and
11-404.2 of the Health Occupations Article to improve the quality of and access to
care or to enhance the scope of practice of optometry in the State.
SECTION 5. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect July 1, 2005.
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May 20, 2005
The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401
Dear Mr. President:
In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have
vetoed Senate Bill 478 - Election Law - Early Voting.
Senate Bill 478 requires the local boards of elections to establish early voting polling
places for a five-day period beginning eight days prior to Election Day and have them
in operation for eight hours each day. Under this program, a voter may cast a ballot at
any early voting location in the voter's county of residence. On early voting days, the
local boards of elections are responsible for ensuring that every ballot style used in
the county for the election is available at the early polling places.
Maryland has a national reputation as a state with a rich history of voter fraud. Over
the years, the General Assembly has carefully crafted an election process that
includes numerous safeguards to protect against voter irregularities. We require most
voters to personally appear at their own election precinct on a single day, Election
Day. On that day, we appoint representatives of the political parties as election judges
to conduct the balloting process at the polls. We also allow representatives of political
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