2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
CHAPTER 5-35.1 - Optometrists
§ 5-35.1-9 - Acts constituting unlawful practice of optometry.

SECTION 5-35.1-9

   § 5-35.1-9  Acts constituting unlawful practice of optometry. – No optometrist licensed by and practicing in this state may:

   (1) use or occupy space for that practice under any oral or written lease, contract, arrangement or understanding with anyone (other than with another optometrist licensed by, and practicing in this state) by which the rent paid by that licensed optometrist for that use or occupancy or any element of the expense of practicing his or her profession varies according to his or her gross receipts, net profit, taxable income, numeral volume of the patients examined by that licensed optometrist or any combination;

   (2) use or occupy space for that practice in any building where more than fifty percent (50%) of the remaining space is used or occupied by tenants or a tenant of that building or the owner of that building and those tenants, tenant, or owner is engaged in the business of selling merchandise to the general public, if those tenants, tenant, or owner:

   (i) uses, or occupies that space under any oral or written lease, contract, arrangement, or understanding with anyone by which the rent paid by those tenants or tenant for that use or occupancy or any element in the cost of doing business varies according to the gross receipts, net profit, taxable income, numerical volume of sales or customers of those tenants or tenant or any combination; or

   (ii) no optometrist licensed by and practicing in this state advertises by written or spoken words of a character tending to deceive or mislead the public;

   (3) practice his or her profession under any oral or written contract, arrangement or understanding where anyone, not licensed to practice optometry practicing in this state shares, directly or indirectly, in any fees received by that licensed optometrist.