ÿWPC”5 ý›z€ 8ûQ¼üUC•yH¡" ˜Û_±èYr1oúkÑú¦*¨aDm±¯§AJ¤9 ¼I³Ho +5«ç×Ï«±·"Ø›ë%· —ÊŽEë•Åßmð@_¶Wëît¢‹™jOÀ¬;’‘ð &$RŒ!-¶K¡ñŒoŒý\ÿü`87ƒûÚ»lkÓ™°M ú9ƒSké;NÒ‘= u¬`f³ßåê‘ mo/Âw~·¼/¸ìI{èbOç>ÃÏuÂׯsO:îáÝþÙì˜KÎ<ÌúCÇd«ëOš…´1¯uV_‚ô‹*ÞxšTö =º‘T;ýÌvú÷,à82ëÂCøóÚáDÙТ| Ex§–¸þÆþÿ¨Ô@‘1½"A X¦æu8—þjºÙ©¬ŠmØPö§««x©¼XÎÛ›$†ò_z:€cT zÑÜ9]±l¿ëDhòÉfÎëö5µòƒf'Ñ›ø“NJ½×€¾_Å €^^9ä€Õî!Ü'šÅ3bU^ðæf}}»¯ãë>L7àÞMöZ Ñ9ühøëƒ¶f˜X×¾þÄâ!ËÂ" @ÿ#KM¨ë,ô]ËùbóDnâh˜×üENbk›±Êab#Á\UN %k 0eq ^ Ö wâ 4æ ú  m b" 0 ©* 0 DÓ U@ ;W &’°¸}hNåÆççç­­ÆÃƉÆON D3 zJÒÄUN–EääääääääääæÉì!ì!½µ%Ðr'&B(B(B(ßh-G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0G0 AŸX1 0÷1÷1÷1 D+x2 0K£2£2£2£2£2 Bî2î2î2î2 AS 3Æ^3 0$4 0D¥4 A«é4˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(=¼c$¡¡Ô€ô D ò»¼ÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  ÓIŠ) õ}|)Üë¢3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(Y(3Î $¤¤Ý ƒ¼c!ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman  1Ý ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔNotably,€òòLoseróó€was€decided€in€1949,€prior€to€the€enactment€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€48„248„101€òòet€seq.óó,€whichÐ ° Ðallows€the€creation€of€Professional€Limited€Liability€Companies€(Ô_ÔPLLCÔ_Ô),€and€the€enactment€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€48„Ð tÄ Ð101„601€òòet€seq.óó,€which€allows€the€creation€of€Professional€Corporations€(PC).€€These€statutes€have€been€widely€used€byÐ 8ˆ Ðprofessionals,€including€optometrists,€to€allow€them€to€practice€as€business€associations.€€However,€the€PLLC€and€PCÐ üL Ðstatutes€have€no€impact€on€our€decision.€€The€òòLoseróó€Courtððs€concern€was€with€the€Ô_ÔunlicensedÔ_Ô€practice€of€learnedÐ À Ðprofessions€by€business€associations,€òòóóa€concern€which€does€not€apply€if€the€business€association€is€under€the€exclusiveÐ „Ô Ðcontrol€of€licensed€professionals.€€òòCf.óó€òòLoseróó,€225€S.W.2d€at€269.€€Thus,€we€do€not€mean€to€imply€that€licensedÐ H ˜ Ðoptometrists€should€be€prohibited€from€forming€Ô_ÔPLLCsÔ_Ô€or€PCs€under€which€to€conduct€their€practice. Ý ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWe€find€that€the€production€and€sales€of€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€does€not€constitute€the€delivery€of€healthÐ ° Ðcare.€€ orthoptics GwinDucklolockableclosableRothmanoptometricparcice sÝ ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€23€provides:Ð ° ÐÌà0  àThe€Supreme€Court€may,€at€its€discretion,€answer€questions€certified€to€it€by€the€Supreme€Court€of€the€UnitedÐ 8ˆ ÐStates,€a€Court€of€Appeals€of€the€United€States,€a€District€Court€of€the€United€States€in€Tennessee,€or€a€UnitedÐ üL ÐStates€Bankruptcy€Court€in€Tennessee.€€This€rule€may€be€invoked€when€the€certifying€court€determines€that,Ð À Ðin€a€proceeding€before€it,€there€are€questions€of€law€of€this€state€which€will€be€determinative€of€the€cause€andÐ „Ô Ðas€to€which€it€appears€to€the€certifying€court€there€is€no€controlling€precedent€in€the€decisions€of€the€SupremeÐ H ˜ ÐCourt€of€Tennessee.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 Ñ ° Ñ‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5YYYY'ÿÿdxd ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular üÔ_ÔÝ ƒ Î ÿÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝUnder€the€Tennessee€statutes€governing€opticians,€the€term€ð ðdispensing€opticiansðð€is€used€in€two€separateÐ ° Ðcontexts€that€may€seem€confusing€at€first€glance.€€The€statute€(and€this€opinion)€refers€to€ð ðdispensing€opticiansðð€and€alsoÐ tÄ Ðto€businesses€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticians.ðð€€A€ð ðdispensing€opticianðð€is€an€optician€who€engages€in€theÐ 8ˆ Ðð ðpreparation,€adaptation€and€dispensing€of€lenses,€spectacles,€eye€glasses€and€optical€devices€to€the€intended€user€thereofÐ üL Ðon€the€written€prescription€of€a€physician€or€optometrist.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„14„102€(1997€Repl.).€€Like€otherÐ À Ðopticians,€dispensing€opticians€may€not€ð ðexamine€or€exercise€eyes,ðð€nor€may€they€ð ðdiagnose,€treat,€correct,€relieve,Ð „Ô Ðoperate,€or€prescribe€for€any€human€ailment.ðð€€òòId.óó€ðð€63„14„102(2).€€However,€dispensing€opticians€are€allowed€to€fitÐ H ˜ Ðcontact€lenses€ð ðin€the€presence€of€and€under€the€direct€supervision€of€a€licensed€optometrist€or€ophthalmologist.ðð€€òòId.óóÐ  \ ÐÌà  àIn€turn,€the€ð ðpreparation,€adaptation€and€dispensing€of€lenses,€spectacles,€eye€glasses,€and€optical€devicesðð€isÐ ” ä  Ðreferred€to€as€the€ð ðpractice€of€dispensing€opticians.ðð€€òòSee,€e.g.óó,€òòid.óó€ðð€63„14„103(d).€Thus,€when€we€refer€to€businessesÐ X ¨  Ðð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticians,ðð€we€are€referring€to€businesses€that€perform€the€services€provided€by€dispensingÐ  l  Ðopticians.òòóó ¿Ý ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔOptometrists€are€allowed€to€conduct€eye€examinations€ð ðfor€the€purpose€of€ascertaining€defects€of€vision€orÐ ° Ðmuscular€anomalies€or€other€abnormal€conditions€of€the€eyes,ðð€and€they€are€also€allowed€to€prescribe€ð ðophthalmic€lensesÐ tÄ Ðor€prisms€to€remedy€or€relieve€defects€of€vision€or€muscular€anomalies.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„102(12)(A)„(B)€(1997Ð 8ˆ ÐRepl.).€€Optometrists€may€also€supply,€replace,€or€duplicate€an€ophthalmic€lens€or€frame.€€òòId.óó€ðð€63„8„102(12)(D).€Ð üL ÐHowever,€unlike€ophthalmologists,€optometrists€are€not€licensed€physicians.€€Instead,€optometrists€in€Tennessee,€as€inÐ À Ðother€states,€are€separately€licensed€and€regulated€by€a€Board€of€Optometry.€€òòSeeóó€òòId.óó€ðð€63„8„112. ³Ý ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€reviewing€a€statute€for€a€possible€constitutional€infirmity,€we€are€ð ðrequired€to€indulge€every€presumptionÐ ° Ðand€resolve€every€doubt€in€favor€of€the€constitutionality€of€the€statute.ðð€€òòPetition€of€Bursonóó,€909€S.W.2d€768,€775€(Tenn.Ð tÄ Ð1995). ÆÝ ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee€generallyóó€U.S.€Const.€art.€I,€ðð€8,€cl.€3. Ý ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€laws€providing€for€the€establishment€of€the€Tennessee€Board€of€Optometry€and€the€standards€governingÐ ° Ðoptometrists€are€found€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€63„8„101€through€63„8„133€(1997€&€Supp.€1999).€€The€statutes€provideÐ tÄ Ðfor€the€examination€and€licensing€of€optometrists,€prohibit€the€unauthorized€practice€of€optometry,€and€place€restrictionsÐ 8ˆ Ðon€those€licensed€to€practice.€€These€restrictions€include€prohibitions€against€engaging€in€the€practice€of€optometry€asÐ üL Ðan€ð ðemployee€of€any€person,€or€business€or€organization€not€engaged€primarily€in€health€care€delivery,ðð€dividing€feesÐ À Ðor€agreeing€to€ð ðsplit€or€divide€the€fees€received€for€professional€services€with€any€person€for€bringing€or€referring€aÐ „Ô Ðpatient,ðð€and€the€prohibition€in€this€case,€practicing€ð ðin,€or€in€conjunction€with,€any€retail€store€or€other€commercialÐ H ˜ Ðestablishment€where€merchandise€is€displayed€or€offered€for€sale.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€63„8„113(c)(2),€(5),€&€(6);€63„8„Ð  \ Ð120(a)(13)€&€(14)€(1997€Repl.). ÕÝ ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAnother€point€raised€in€our€discussions€concerned€the€possibility€that€if€an€optometrist€has€prescriptions€filledÐ ° Ðby€an€independently€owned€dispensing€optician,€then€the€optometrist€would€be€working€ð ðin€conjunction€withðð€aÐ tÄ Ðcommercial€establishment€in€violation€of€the€statute.€€However,€because€ð ðin€conjunction€withðð€is€defined€to€mean€beingÐ 8ˆ Ðjoined€together€in€an€association,€òòseeóó€Blackððs€Law€Dictionary€765€(6th€ed.€1990),€such€business€practices€would€notÐ üL Ðviolate€the€statute.€€ Ý ƒ Î $ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSeeóó€òòCalifornia€Assððn€of€Disp.€Opticians€v.€Pearle€Visionóó,€191€Cal.€Rptr.€762,€769€(Cal.€Ct.€App.€1983).PTS‘ I&mage <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK(Y3i$££Ý ƒ¼c!ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ý'ÈÈÈÈdxd( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó d^_P`Eþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(Y3i$¢¢Ý ƒ¼c!ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óPTS&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ¼c!ÝÔ€ôlòXXÔÔUSUS.,ÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ‡¼½$»òôlÔÑ8€!ñX!XXdìdÈ8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ ÑÑ€OYÑà@  ìàÔ#†ôlò»¼½$ƒ#ÔԇîòôlÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@AA$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†ôlòîî«…<#ÔÔ‡¼½$»òôlԈРÔ$ Ðà@ÄÄ ìàMay€24,€2000€SessionˆÐ øH ÐÔ#†ôlò»¼½$Ó#ÔÌòŒòÔ‡¼½$»òôlÔÓ  ÓÔ_ÔLENSCRAFTERSÔ_Ô,€INC.òòóó€v.€DON€Ô_ÔSUNDQUISTÔ_Ô,€in€his€official€capacity€asÐ Î ÐGovernor€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,€et€al.Ô#†ôlò»¼½$k#ÔóŒó€Ð â 2 ÐÓŠÓÔ‡XñXXòôlÔÌòŒòCertified€Question€from€the€United€States€District€Court€for€the€Middle€District€of€TennesseeÐ â 2 Ðà@y y ìàNo.€3:98„0150€€€€€€Ô_ÔAletaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔTraugerÔ_Ô,€JudgeˆÐ Î  ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€Y") °°` d€÷E<‘` A߈Ð ’â  ÐÌà@q q ìàNo.€M1999„01349„SC„R23„CQ€„€Filed€December€13,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔˆÐ Ý  ÐÌßA€Y") °°` dE<d` AßÐ eµ  ÐóŒóÔ#†ôlòXXñX§#ÔÌÔ€XñXXòôlÔó óThis€case€is€before€the€Court€on€a€certified€question€from€the€United€States€District€Court€for€theÐ 6† ÐMiddle€District€of€Tennessee.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€moving€party,€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô,€Inc.,€(Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô)€owns€opticalÐ "r Ðstores€throughout€the€United€States€and€produces€prescription€ophthalmic€materials€on€its€premises.€Ð ^ ÐÔ_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€leases€space€to€licensed€optometrists€who€perform€eye€examinations.€€PrescriptionÐ úJ Ðlenses€and€frames€are€then€made€and€fitted,€all€in€furtherance€of€the€concept€of€€ð ðone„stop€shopping.ðð€Ð æ6 ÐÔ_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€sued€in€the€district€court€to€challenge€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„Ð Ò" Ð113(c)(6)€(1997).€€This€statute€defines€as€unlawful€and€thus€prohibits€optometrists€from:Ð ¾ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[practicing]€or€[offering]€to€practice€optometry€in,€or€in€conjunctionÐ –æ Ðwith,€any€òòretail€store€or€other€commercial€establishmentóó€whereÐ ‚Ò Ðmerchandise€is€displayed€or€offered€for€sale.Ðn¾` x` x ÐÌ(Emphasis€added.)€€The€question€certified€to€us€by€the€district€court€is€whether€an€entity€engagedÐ F– Ðprimarily€in€the€business€of€selling€eyeglasses€and€frames€is€a€retail€store€or€other€commercialÐ 2‚ Ðestablishment€as€defined€by€the€above„quoted€statute.€€We€accept€the€certified€question€and€answerÐ  n Ðthat€such€entities€are€ð ðretail€stores€or€other€commercial€establishmentsðð€as€statutorily€defined.Ð  !Z  Ðò òÌòŒòÔ‡!XñXXXXñXÔà@‹‹ìàTenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€23€Certification€of€Questions€of€State€Law€from€Federal€CourtÔ#†XñXXX!XñXs #ÔóŒóˆÐ â"2" ÐÌó óòòÔ‡XñXXàXñXÔAdolpho€A.€Birch,€Jr.,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòò òó óE.€Riley€Anderson,€C.J.,Ð º$ $ ÐFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,€Janice€M.€Holder,€óóand€òòWilliam€M.€Barker,€JJ.,ò òó óóó€joined.òò€€óóÐ ¦%ö %  ÐÔ#†XñXXXXñX6#ÔBarbara€J.€Moss,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€movant,€LensCrafters,€Inc.Ð ° ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€andÐ ˆØ ÐMichelle€Hohnke€Joss,€Assistant€Attorney€General,€for€the€respondent,€Don€Sundquist,€in€his€officialÐ tÄ Ðcapacity€as€Governor€of€the€State€of€Tennessee,€et€al.Ð `° ÐÌò òà@66'ìàòŒòOPINIONóŒóˆÐ 8 ˆ Ðó óòòóóÌà@ìàI.€Facts€and€Procedural€HistoryˆÐ  ` ÐÌà  àÔ_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€is€an€Ohio€corporation€which€owns€numerous€optical€superstores€throughoutÐ è 8  Ðthe€United€States.€€LensCrafters€sells€prescription€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€on€its€premises€andÐ Ô$  Ðemploys€dispensing€opticians׃,×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€to€produce€these€materials.€€In€addition,€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€leases€space€atÐ À  Ðits€stores€to€licensed€Tennessee€optometrists׃-„ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€so€that€customers€may€obtain€eye€examinations€andÐ ¬ü  Ðhave€prescription€eyeglasses€made€at€the€same€location.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àIn€April€1997,€the€Tennessee€Board€of€Optometry€(Board)€sanctioned€Jeffery€A.€Rothman,Ð pÀ ÐO.D.,€an€optometrist€who€leased€space€from€LensCrafters.€€The€Board€found€that€Rothman€hadÐ \¬ Ðviolated€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð63-8-113(c)(6)€(1997),€which€prohibits€optometrists€from€practicing€ð ðin,Ð H˜ Ðor€in€conjunction€with,€any€retail€store€or€other€commercial€establishment€where€merchandise€isÐ 4„ Ðdisplayed€or€offered€for€sale.ðð€€The€Board,€in€addition€to€imposing€a€$1,000€fine,€ordered€RothmanÐ  p Ðto€close€his€practice€within€thirty€days€unless€he€were€to€accomplish€the€following:€€(1)€€€installÐ  \ Ðclosable,€lockable€doors€separating€his€leased€space€from€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô;€(2)€€provide€a€separateÐ øH Ðâ âentrance€from€the€outdoors€to€his€space;€and€(3)€€provide€a€waiting„room€area€near€the€separateÐ ä4 Ðentrance.€€Rothman€petitioned€for€chancery€court€review€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„5„322Ð ° Ð(1997).Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àWhile€review€was€pending,€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€brought€suit€in€the€United€States€District€Court€forÐ tÄ Ðthe€Middle€District€of€Tennessee€against€Don€Ô_ÔSundquistÔ_Ô,€in€his€official€capacity€as€Governor€of€theÐ `° ÐState€of€Tennessee,€and€the€members€of€the€Tennessee€Board€of€Optometry,€in€their€officialÐ L œ Ðcapacities.€€In€that€suit,€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€challenged€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„Ð 8 ˆ Ð113(c)(6),€contending€that€the€statute€violates€the€Dormant€Commerce€Clause,€the€Equal€ProtectionÐ $ t ÐClause,€and€the€Due€Process€Clause€of€the€United€States€Constitution€because€it€allows€businessesÐ  ` Ðowned€by€Tennessee„licensed€optometrists€to€sell€optical€products€and€conduct€eye€examinations€inÐ ü L  Ðthe€same€location€but€does€not€allow€out„of„state„owned€retail€establishments€to€do€so.€€Upon€theÐ è 8  Ðdefendantsðð€motion€for€summary€judgment,€however,€the€parties€agreed€that€if€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ Ô$  Ð63„8„113(c)(6)€were€interpreted€to€exclude€entities€engaged€primarily€in€the€business€of€selling€andÐ À  Ðdispensing€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€from€the€definition€of€ð ðretail€store€or€other€commercialÐ ¬ü  Ðestablishment,ðð€then€it€would€be€unnecessary€to€reach€the€constitutional€issues€that€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€hadÐ ˜è  Ðraised.€€To€resolve€this€issue,€the€district€court€certified€the€following€question€for€our€determination:Ð „Ô  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àWhether€an€entity€engaged€primarily€in€the€business€of€selling€andÐ \¬ Ðdispensing€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€is€a€ð ðretail€store€or€otherÐ H˜ Ðcommercial€establishmentðð€within€the€meaning€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð 4„ Ððð€63„8„113(c)(6)?Ð p` x` x ÐÌWe€accepted€this€question€for€review€and€now€respond€that€such€an€entity€is€a€retail€store€under€theÐ øH Ðstatute.Ð ä4 ÐÌÓ  ÓII.€€AnalysisÐ ¼  ÐÌÓ¨!Óà  àThe€parties€in€this€case€contend€that€this€Court€should€interpret€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„Ð ”ä Ð113(c)(6)€to€exclude€businesses€which€sell€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€because€a€contraryÐ €Ð Ðinterpretation€would€render€the€statute€unconstitutional.׃/×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€They€contend€that€the€restriction€againstÐ l¼ Ðpracticing€in€or€in€conjunction€with€a€retail€store€discriminates€against€out„of„state€stores,€therebyÐ X ¨ Ðunduly€burdening€interstate€commerce.׃0Ü×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€We€begin€by€discussing€the€constitutional€aspects€of€theÐ D!” Ðpartiesðð€construction€of€the€statute.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àThe€states€are€allowed€great€leeway€under€their€police€power€to€adopt€regulations€that€protectÐ $X" Ðthe€health€and€safety€of€their€citizens.€€Although€the€Constitution€confers€ð ðupon€Congress€theÐ ô$D # Ðregulation€of€commerce,€.€.€.€[it€was]€never€intended€to€cut€the€States€off€from€legislating€on€allÐ à%0!$ Ðsubjects€relating€to€the€health,€life,€and€safety€of€their€citizens,€though€the€legislation€might€indirectlyÐ Ì&"% Ðaffect€the€commerce€of€the€country.ðð€€òòHuron€Portland€Cement€Co.€v.€City€of€Detroitóó,€362€U.S.€440,Ð ° Ð443,€80€S.€Ct.€813,€816,€4€L.€Ed.€2d€852€(1960),€òòquoted€inóó€òòHead€v.€New€Mexico€Bd.€of€Exam.€inÐ œì ÐOptometryóó,€374€U.S.€424,€428,€83€S.€Ct.€1759,€1762,€10€L.€Ed.€2d€983€(1963).€Although€regulationsÐ ˆØ Ðadopted€under€the€police€power€may€indirectly€impose€a€burden€on€interstate€commerce,€they€are€notÐ tÄ Ðunconstitutional€unless€they€are€shown€to€ð ðdiscriminate€against€interstate€commerce€or€operate€toÐ `° Ðdisrupt€its€required€uniformity.ðð€òòHuron€Portland€Cement€Co.óó,€362€U.S.€at€448,€80€S.€Ct.€at€818.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àThe€statutory€regulations€on€optometry׃1×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€pertinent€here€in€effect€insulate€optometrists€fromÐ $ t Ðnon„health€care€commercial€entities.€€The€purpose€of€this€insulation€is€to€prohibit€the€formulationÐ  ` Ðof€business€relationships€between€optometrists€and€such€entities.€€The€policy€supporting€suchÐ ü L  Ðprohibitions€is€that€preservation€of€an€unbroken€relationship€between€the€professional€and€the€patientÐ è 8  Ðis€best€achieved€by€shielding€the€professional€from€the€risk€of€control€by€an€unlicenced€person€orÐ Ô$  Ðentity.€€òòSeeóó€òòCole€Vision€v.€Dept.€of€Bus.€and€Prof.óó,€688€So.2d€404,€409€(Fla.€Dist.€Ct.€App.€1997).Ð À  ÐÌà  àA€review€of€analogous€precedent€shows€that€regulations€prohibiting€optometrists€fromÐ ˜è  Ðpracticing€optometry€as€a€servant€of€an€Ô_ÔunlicensedÔ_Ô€optical€business,€though€affecting€interstateÐ „Ô  Ðcommerce,€have€been€held€to€be€constitutional.€€òòSeeóó€òòÔ_ÔPearleÔ_Ô€Optical€of€Ô_ÔMonroevilleÔ_Ô,€Inc.€v.€GeorgiaÐ pÀ ÐState€Bd.€of€Ô_ÔExamrÔ_Ôððs€in€Optometryóó,€133€S.E.2d€374€(Ga.€1963);€òòSears,€Roebuck€&€Co.€v.€State€Bd.Ð \¬ Ðof€Optometryóó,€57€So.2d€726€(Miss.€1952);€òòsee€alsoóó€61€Am.€Ô_ÔJurÔ_Ô.€2d€òòPhysicians,€Surgeons,€etc.óó€ðð€157Ð H˜ Ð(1981);€88€ALR€2d€1290,€1294€ðð€3[a].€€In€upholding€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute€prohibitingÐ 4„ Ðthose€ð ðengaged€in€the€business€of€retailing€merchandiseðð€from€renting€out€space€for€eyeÐ  p Ðexaminations,€the€United€States€Supreme€Court€stated:Ð  \ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€seems€to€us€that€this€regulation€.€.€.€is€an€attempt€to€free€theÐ ä4 Ðprofession,€to€as€great€an€extent€as€possible,€from€all€taints€ofÐ Ð  Ðcommercialism.€€It€certainly€might€be€easy€for€an€optometrist€withÐ ¼  Ðspace€in€a€retail€store€to€be€merely€a€front€for€the€retail€establishment.€Ð ¨ø ÐIn€any€case,€the€opportunity€for€that€nexus€may€be€too€great€for€safety,Ð ”ä Ðif€the€eye€doctor€is€allowed€inside€the€retail€store.€€Moreover,€it€mayÐ €Ð Ðbe€deemed€important€to€effective€regulation€that€the€eye€doctor€beÐ l¼ Ðrestricted€to€geographical€locations€that€reduce€the€temptations€ofÐ X ¨ Ðcommercialism.€€Geographical€location€may€be€an€importantÐ D!” Ðconsideration€in€a€legislative€program€which€aims€to€raise€theÐ 0"€  Ðtreatment€of€the€human€eye€to€a€strictly€professional€level.€€We€cannotÐ #l! ÐÑOYÑâ âѰ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñsay€that€the€regulation€has€no€rational€relation€to€that€objective€andÐ ° Ðtherefore€is€beyond€constitutional€bounds.Мì` x` x ÐÌòòWilliamson€v.€Lee€Optical€of€Okla.,€Inc.óó,€348€U.S.€483,€491,€75€S.€Ct.€461,€466,€99€L.€Ed.€563Ð tÄ Ð(1955).€€Our€Court€has€stated€similar€concerns€justifying€such€regulations€when€addressing€theÐ `° Ðquestion€of€optometrists€being€employed€by€corporations:Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€logical€result€would€be€that€corporations€and€businessÐ $ t Ðpartnerships€might€practice€law,€medicine,€dentistry€or€any€otherÐ  ` Ðprofession€by€the€simple€expedient€of€employing€licensed€agents.€Ð ü L  ÐAnd€if€this€were€permitted€professional€standards€would€beÐ è 8  Ðpractically€destroyed,€and€professions€requiring€special€training€wouldÐ Ô$  Ðbe€commercialized,€to€the€public€detriment.€€The€ethics€of€anyÐ À  Ðprofession€is€based€upon€personal€or€individual€responsibility.€€OneÐ ¬ü  Ðwho€practices€a€profession€is€responsible€directly€to€his€patient€or€hisÐ ˜è  Ðclient.€€Hence€he€cannot€properly€act€in€the€practice€of€his€vocation€asÐ „Ô  Ðan€agent€of€a€corporation€or€business€partnership€whose€interests€inÐ pÀ Ðthe€very€nature€of€the€case€are€commercial€in€character.Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌòòState€ex€rel.€Loser€v.€National€Optical€Stores€Co.óó,€225€S.W.2d€263,€269€(Tenn.€1949).Ô_Ô׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_ÔÐ 4„ ÐÌà  àWe€conclude€that€even€were€the€statute€to€prohibit€the€practice€of€optometry€in€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_ÔððsÐ  \ Ðstores,€it€would€still€be€constitutional.€€Therefore,€our€construction€of€the€statute€is€not€affected€byÐ øH Ðconstitutional€concerns.€Rather,€we€are€aided€by€a€consideration€of€the€intent€of€the€legislature€in€itsÐ ä4 Ðenactment.€€Indeed,€to€ascertain€and€give€effect€to€the€intention€and€purpose€of€the€legislature€is€theÐ Ð  Ðbasic€rule€of€statutory€construction.€€òòÔ_ÔWorrallÔ_Ô€v.€Kroger€Co.óó,€545€S.W.2d€736€(Tenn.€1977).€€€ThisÐ ¼  Ðð ð[Ô_Ôl]egislativeÔ_Ô€intent€or€purpose€is€to€be€ascertained€primarily€from€the€natural€and€ordinary€meaningÐ ¨ø Ðof€the€language€used,€without€forced€or€subtle€construction€that€would€limit€or€extend€the€meaningÐ ”ä Ðof€the€language.ðð€€òòCarson€Creek€Vacation€Resorts,€Inc.€v.€State€Dept.€of€Revenueóó,€865€S.W.2d€1,€2Ð €Ð Ð(Tenn.€1993).€€In€determining€legislative€intent,€statutes€relating€to€the€same€subject€or€sharing€aÐ l¼ Ðcommon€purpose€must€be€construed€together€(ð ðòòin€pari€materiaóóðð)€ð ðin€order€to€advance€their€commonÐ X ¨ Ðpurpose€or€intent.ðð€€òòCarver€v.€Citizen€Ô_ÔUtilsÔ_Ô.€Co.óó,€954€S.W.2d€34,€35€(Tenn.€1997).€€Ultimately,€weÐ D!” Ðmust€seek€the€most€ð ðreasonable€construction€which€avoids€statutory€conflict€and€provides€forÐ 0"€  Ðharmonious€operation€of€the€laws.ðð€òòóó€òòId.óó;€òòseeóó€òòalsoóó€€òòÔ_ÔCroninÔ_Ô€v.€Howeóó,€906€S.W.2d€910,€912€(Tenn.Ð #l! Ð1995).Ð $X" Їà  àHere,€the€natural€and€ordinary€meaning€of€the€language€used,€ð ðany€retail€store€.€.€.€whereÐ ° Ðmerchandise€is€.€.€.€offered€for€sale,ðð€would€include€ophthalmic€superstores€such€as€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô.€Ð œì ÐThe€parties€maintain,€despite€the€absence€of€language€exempting€ophthalmic€stores,€that€the€intentÐ ˆØ Ðof€our€legislature€in€enacting€the€provision€before€us€was€to€prevent€optometrists€from€practicing€inÐ tÄ Ðdepartment€stores€and€not€stores€which€specialize€in€selling€ophthalmic€supplies.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àTo€support€their€assertion€that€applying€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„113€to€ophthalmic€storesÐ 8 ˆ Ðwould€be€inconsistent€with€the€statutory€scheme€considered€as€a€whole,€the€parties€point€to€sectionsÐ $ t Ðof€our€Code€which€suggest€an€ð ðoverlapðð€between€the€work€of€dispensing€opticians€and€optometrists.€Ð  ` ÐThe€parties€note€that€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€is€a€business€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticiansðð€under€Tenn.Ð ü L  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€63„14„102€and€thus€is€allowed€to€prepare,€adapt,€and€dispense€lenses,€spectacles,€eyeÐ è 8  Ðglasses,€frames,€and€optical€devices.€€They€further€note€that€opticians€are€permitted€to€practice€asÐ Ô$  Ðemployees€of€businesses€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticiansðð€if€they€are€ð ðunder€the€actual€andÐ À  Ðpersonal€supervision€of€partners,€officers,€managers€or€stockholders€who€possess€valid€Ô_ÔunrevokedÔ_ÔÐ ¬ü  Ðlicenses€as€dispensing€opticians€entitled€to€practice€in€[Tennessee].ðð€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„14„Ð ˜è  Ð103(d)€(1997).€€Thus,€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ô€may€sell€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€and€may€employ€opticiansÐ „Ô  Ðwho€dispense€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àLikewise,€the€parties€note€that€optometrists€are€permitted€to€employ€dispensing€opticians.€Ð H˜ ÐòòId.óó€ðð€63„14„105€(ð ðNothing€contained€in€this€chapter€shall€be€construed€to€prohibit€a€.€.€.€licensedÐ 4„ Ðoptometrist€from€employing€a€licensed€dispensing€optician€as€defined€in€this€chapter.ðð).€€Moreover,Ð  p Ðthey€note€that€selling€glasses€has€long€been€a€part€of€the€practice€of€optometry€and€that€the€statutoryÐ  \ Ðscheme€contemplates€that€optometrists€should€be€allowed€to€sell€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames.€€òòSeeóóÐ øH Ðòòid.óó€ðð€63„8„102(12)(D).€€Thus,€like€businesses€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticians,ðð€optometristsÐ ä4 Ðalso€may€hire€opticians€to€sell€and€dispense€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€basic€thrust€of€the€partiesðð€argument€is€that€the€statutes€governing€opticians€andÐ ¨ø Ðoptometrists€are€inconsistent€because€they€allow€a€business€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticiansððÐ ”ä Ðto€hire€dispensing€opticians€and€sell€ophthalmic€products,€and€they€allow€an€optometrist€to€hireÐ €Ð Ðdispensing€opticians€and€sell€ophthalmic€products,€but€they€do€not€allow€a€business€ð ðin€the€practiceÐ l¼ Ðof€dispensing€opticiansðð€to€form€a€business€association€with€an€optometrist.€€The€parties€contend€thatÐ X ¨ Ðthe€similarities€between€optometrists€and€businesses€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticiansðð€renderÐ D!” Ðunjustifiable€any€argument€that€relationships€between€such€businesses€and€optometrists€wouldÐ 0"€  Ðdegrade€the€profession€of€optometry.€€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àThe€parties€fail,€however,€to€recognize€that€allowing€optometrists€to€practice€in€conjunctionÐ ô$D # Ðwith€businesses€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticiansðð€may€involve€a€compromise€of€theÐ à%0!$ Ðoptometristsðð€professional€autonomy.€€Such€does€not€occur€when€an€optometrist€operates€anÐ Ì&"% Ðindependent€business€which€employs€opticians€to€dispense€and€sell€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames.€Ð ¸'#& ÐòòCf.€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„113(c)(2),€(5)€(1997€Repl.).€€Furthermore,€there€is€no€statute€condoningÐ ¤(ô#' Ðan€optometristððs€professional€association€with€or€employment€by€dispensing€opticians.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€ðð€63„Ð )à$( Ð8„113.€€The€reason€for€this€is€that€opticians€are€not€health€care€professionals;€they€are€specificallyÐ |*Ì%) Ðprohibited€from€examining€eyes€or€diagnosing,€treating,€or€correcting€ð ðany€human€ailment€.€.€.€orÐ h+¸&* Ðphysical€condition.ðð€€òòId.óó€ðð€63„14„102(2).€€Consequently,€although€optometrists€permissibly€mayÐ ° Ðemploy€dispensing€opticians,€to€allow€optometrists€to€form€business€associations€with€dispensingÐ œì Ðopticiansð!ðor€with€businesses€ð ðin€the€practice€of€dispensing€opticians,ðð€such€as€Ô_ÔLensCraftersÔ_Ôð!ðwouldÐ ˆØ Ðbe€equivalent€to€allowing€optometrists€to€form€business€associations€with€non„health€care€providerÐ tÄ Ðcommercial€entities.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€By€allowing€such€business€associations,€we€would€risk€subordinating€theÐ `° Ðstandards€of€the€optometry€profession€to€the€influence€of€commercial€interests€operated€by€layÐ L œ Ðbusiness€persons€rather€than€by€health€care€professionals.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àIn€holding€that€businesses€which€sell€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€are€retail€establishmentsÐ  ` Ðwithin€the€meaning€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„113(c)(6),€we€must€also€address€whether€thisÐ ü L  Ðinterpretation€renders€the€optometry€statute€internally€inconsistent.€€Although€this€argument€was€notÐ è 8  Ðraised€by€the€parties,€one€might€assert€that€optometrists€are€allowed€to€sell€lenses€and€frames€withinÐ Ô$  Ðtheir€own€practice,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„102(12),€and€yet€by€doing€so,€they€violate€the€prohibitionÐ À  Ðagainst€practicing€in€a€ð ðretail€store€.€.€.€where€merchandise€is€.€.€.€offered€for€sale.ðð׃4×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€However,€weÐ ¬ü  Ðdecline€to€hold€that€this€inconsistency€requires€that€the€phrase€ð ðretail€store€or€other€commercialÐ ˜è  Ðestablishmentðð€be€interpreted€to€exclude€stores€engaged€primarily€in€the€business€of€selling€andÐ „Ô  Ðdispensing€ophthalmic€lenses€and€frames.€€A€more€reasonable€interpretation€is€that€the€phrase€ð ðretailÐ pÀ Ðand€commercial€establishmentsðð€refers€to€ð ðnon„health€care€professionðð€commercial€entities.€€WeÐ \¬ Ðreach€this€conclusion€in€large€part€by€reference€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„113(c)(2),€whichÐ H˜ Ðimplicitly€allows€an€optometrist€to€be€employed€by€persons€and€entities€ð ðengaged€primarily€in€healthÐ 4„ Ðcare€delivery.ðð€€This€construction€of€the€statute€prevents€the€ð ðlay€control€of€optometrists,ðð׃5´×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€advancesÐ  p Ðthe€goal€of€encouraging€a€direct€line€of€responsibility€from€licensed€optometrists€to€their€patients,Ð  \ Ðand€further€allows€optometrists€to€practice€in€professional€associations€with€other€licensed€healthÐ øH Ðcare€professionals€who€are€not€only€in€the€practice€of€health€care€delivery,€but€who€also€sellÐ ä4 Ðophthalmic€products.Ð Ð  ÐÌà@||"ìàIII.€€ConclusionˆÐ ¨ø ÐÌà  à€Accordingly,€we€answer€the€question€certified€to€us€by€the€United€States€District€Court€forÐ €Ð Ðthe€Middle€District€of€Tennessee€as€follows:Ð l¼ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAn€entity€engaged€primarily€in€the€business€of€selling€and€dispensingÐ D!” Ðophthalmic€lenses€and€frames€is€a€ð ðretail€store€or€other€commercialÐ 0"€  Ðestablishmentðð€within€the€meaning€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€63„8„Ð ° Ð113(c)(6).Мì` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€clerk€will€transmit€this€opinion€in€accordance€with€Rule€23,€Section€8€of€the€Rules€of€theÐ tÄ ÐSupreme€Court.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€costs€in€this€Court€are€taxed€equally€between€the€parties.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ü L  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àADOLPHO€A.€BIRCH,€JR.,€JUSTICE