Bill > S2226

Introduced Session

This bill directs the State Board of Education to require each child age 6 and under who is entering a public preschool, public school, or a Head Start Program for the first time to have a comprehensive eye examination completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist by January 1 of the child's initial year of enrollment in the school or program. The Department of Health will maintain a list of resources from which a parent or guardian may obtain a free or reduced price comprehensive eye examination. The list will be posted on the Department of Health's website and will be provided to each public preschool, public school, and Head Start Program. A principal, director, or other person in charge of a public preschool, public school, or Head Start Program must collect from the child's parent or guardian evidence of the child's comprehensive eye examination, as provided by regulation of the State board. A comprehensive eye examination that was performed no more than one year prior to a child's initial enrollment in a public preschool, public school, or Head Start Program will satisfy the requirements under the bill. Under the bill, a special fund will be created in the Department of Education, to be entitled the "Comprehensive Eye Examination Fund." The fund must be maintained in a separate account and administered by the commissioner to carry out the provisions of the bill. The fund will consist of (1) any monies appropriated by the State for the purposes of the fund; (2) any monies donated for the purposes of the fund; and (3) all interest and investment earnings received on monies in the fund. The fund is to be used to cover the costs of comprehensive eye examinations conducted pursuant to the bill, for any uninsured children and children without applicable healthcare coverage.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document