Bill > HB3016

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program called the Binocular Vision Screening Program, administered by the State Department of Education in collaboration with the State Department of Health, to identify a specific vision disorder called "convergence insufficiency" in students attending kindergarten, first, and third grades. Convergence insufficiency is a condition where a child has difficulty turning their eyes inward to focus on near objects. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools will be required to conduct comprehensive binocular vision screenings for these students within the first thirty days of school, with these screenings being in addition to any other vision tests already mandated. These screenings must be performed by trained personnel such as school nurses, vision therapists, or optometric technicians. To fund this initiative, a "Binocular Screening Revolving Fund" is created within the State Treasury, which will receive legislative appropriations and can be used by the State Department of Education to establish and maintain the program, with the understanding that these funds will supplement, not replace, existing vision screening budgets. The bill also specifies that expenditures from this fund will be processed through the State Treasurer and declares an emergency, meaning the act will take effect immediately upon its passage and approval.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb3016&Session=2600