Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 22, 2003

Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act - Requires a "prescriber" (a person permitted under State law to issue prescriptions for contact lenses) to provide to the patient a copy of the patient's contact lens prescription free of charge.Declares that a contact lens prescription shall expire: (1) on the date specified by the law of the State involved, if that date is one year or more after the issue date of the prescription; or (2) not less than one year after the issue date of the prescription, if such State law specifies no date or a date that is less than one year after the date of the prescription. Permits an exception in either instance for a patient's ocular health.Prohibits advertising that lenses for which a prescription is required may be obtained without a prescription. Prohibits a prescriber from issuing certain waivers.States that any violation of this Act shall be treated as a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Burr, Richard [R-NC-5] · R–NC

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

9 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 9, 2003
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jun 2, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
May 22, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 22, 2003
Introduced in House
May 22, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 22, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 3140 · Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2221 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.2221, 108th Congress: Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2221

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-05-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2221/BILLS-108hr2221ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:03:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2221 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2221 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2221, 108th Congress: Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2221

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-05-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2221/BILLS-108hr2221ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:03:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2221 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2221 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2221, 108th Congress: Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2221

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-05-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2221/BILLS-108hr2221ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:03:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2221 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2221 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2221, 108th Congress: Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2221

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-05-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr2221/BILLS-108hr2221ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:03:54Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2221 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.