Bill > H137

This bill establishes a new registry for individuals with low vision, defined as having a visual acuity of 20/60 or less in the better eye even with correction, or a severely restricted field of vision to ten degrees or less. This registry will help the Commissioner, likely referring to the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, to better estimate the number of people who may eventually qualify for services from the Commonwealth Registry of the Blind, which is a state agency that provides services to individuals who are legally blind. However, individuals listed on this new low vision registry will not be eligible for services from the Commission until they meet the established standard for legal blindness. The bill also states that the reporting requirements already in place for other sections of Chapter 6 of the General Laws will apply to this new registry.