Chapter
382
2005 -- H 5182 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/19/05
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Slater, Lima, Kennedy, and E Coderre
Date Introduced: January 25, 2005
It is
enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety
of Pupils" is
hereby
amended by adding thereto the following section:
16-21-14.1. Vision screening. -- (a) Upon entering
kindergarten or within thirty (30)
days
of the start of the school year, the parent or guardian of each child shall
present to school
health
personnel certification that the child, within the previous twelve (12) months
has passed a
vision
screening conducted by a health care professional licensed by the department of
health or
has
obtained a comprehensive eye examination performed by a licensed optometrist or
ophthalmologist.
For children who fail to pass the vision screening and for children diagnosed
with
neurodevelopmental delay, proof of a comprehensive eye examination performed by
a
licensed
optometrist or ophthalmologist indicating any pertinent diagnosis, treatment,
prognosis,
recommendation
and evidence of follow-up treatment, if necessary, shall be provided.
(b)
Any person who conducts a comprehensive eye examination of a child in response
to
such
child having failed a vision screening given in accordance with the provisions
of this section
shall
forward a written report of the results of the examination to the school health
personnel and
a
copy of said report to a parent or guardian of such child and the child's
primary health care
provider.
Said report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(i)
date of report;
(ii)
name, address and date of birth of the child;
(iii)
name of the child's school;
(iv)
type of examination;
(v)
a summary of significant findings, including diagnoses, medication used,
duration of
action
of medication, treatment, prognosis, whether or not a return visit is
recommended and, if
so,
when;
(vi)
recommended educational adjustments for the child, if any, which may include
the
following:
preferential seating in the classroom, eyeglasses for full-time use in school,
eyeglasses
for
part-time use in school, sight-saving eyeglasses or any other recommendations;
(vii)
name, address and signature of the examiner.
(c)
The department of health in consultation with the department of education shall
promulgate
regulations to carry out the purposes of this section, including the regular
reporting to
the
departments of health and education on the results of examinations provided
under subsection
(b)
above.
(d)
The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall provide a
comprehensive
report on the education of blind and visually impaired children to the general
assembly
prior to March 1, 2009. The report shall include, but not limited to, an
overview of
policies
and programs; an analysis of the effect that vision exam reports have had on
improving
education
for children; and the comprehensive statewide vision education and services
program;
and
recommendations. The commissioner shall provide an update of said analysis and
report to
the
general assembly prior to March 1, 2012 and every three (3) years thereafter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2006.
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LC00770/SUB A/3
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