This petition seeks to overturn the New York State law (Consolidated Laws of New York, Title 8, Article 143, section 7105) that prohibits any student enrolled in a college of optometric medicine other than S.U.N.Y. Optometry from gaining any level of clinical training (i.e., via clerkship, externship) within the state. Since its inception, this policy has done baseless disservice not only to students, but to the state of New York, which reasonably has lost countless competent and invaluable practitioners as they were forced to gain their clinical experience elsewhere but in New York, then often remained outside the state to practice.

The merit of this legislation is nonexistent, and its harm is overbearing and untenable. We, the under-signed, believe a reversal of the law is long overdue, and we vocally seek its immediate termination.