Contact Lens Prescription Release Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 5, 1994

Contact Lens Prescription Release Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission to amend its trade regulation rule on ophthalmic practice under 16 C.F.R. 456 to require the release of a prescription for contact lenses after their fitting is completed regardless of whether or not the patient requests the prescription.

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PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13] · D–CA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-18]

Legislative record

Actions

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

Oct 17, 1994
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.
Oct 6, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2083)
Oct 5, 1994
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 5, 1994
Introduced in House
Oct 5, 1994
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 · Oct 5, 1994 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5195 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.5195, 103rd Congress: Contact Lens Prescription Release Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/5195

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-10-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr5195/BILLS-103hr5195ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:16Z. 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.5195 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.5195 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.5195, 103rd Congress: Contact Lens Prescription Release Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/5195

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-10-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr5195/BILLS-103hr5195ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:16Z. 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.5195 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.5195 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.5195, 103rd Congress: Contact Lens Prescription Release Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/5195

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-10-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr5195/BILLS-103hr5195ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:16Z. 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.5195 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.5195 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.5195, 103rd Congress: Contact Lens Prescription Release Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/5195

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-10-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr5195/BILLS-103hr5195ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:16Z. 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.5195 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.