Amended in Senate July 2, 2014

Amended in Assembly May 8, 2014

Amended in Assembly April 10, 2014

Amended in Assembly March 28, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 1840

Introduced by Assembly Member Campos

February 18, 2014

An act to amend Section 49455 of the Education Code, relating to pupil health.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 1840, as amended, Campos. Pupil health: vision appraisal.

Existing law requires, upon first enrollment in a California school district of a child at a California elementary school, and at least every 3rd year thereafter until the child has completed the 8th grade, the child’s vision to be appraised by the school nurse or other authorized person, as specified. begin delete Existing law also requires gross external observation of the child’s eyes, visual performance, and perception to be done by the school nurse and the classroom teacher. end delete

This bill would authorize a child’s vision to be appraised by using an eye chart or any other scientifically validated begin delete screening end delete begin insert photoscreening end insert test. begin delete The bill would instead require gross external observation of the child’s eyes, visual performance, and perception to be done by the school nurse, the classroom teacher, or a trained individual who meets requirements established by the State Department of Education. end delete begin insert The bill would require photoscreening tests to be performed, under an agreement with, or the supervision of, an optometrist or ophthalmologist, by the school nurse or a trained individual who meets requirements established by the State Department of Education. end insert

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 49455 of the Education Code is amended
to read:

49455.  

(a) Upon first enrollment in a California school district
of a child at a California elementary school, and at least every third
year thereafter until the child has completed the eighth grade, the
child’s vision shall be appraised by the school nurse or other
authorized person under Section 49452. This appraisal shall include
tests for visual acuity and color vision; however, color vision shall
be appraised once and only on male children, and the results of
the appraisal shall be entered in the health record of the pupil.
Color vision appraisal need not begin until the male pupil has
reached the first grade. Gross external observation of the child’s
eyes, visual performance, and perception shall be done by the
school begin delete nurse, the classroom teacher, or a trained individual who
meets requirements established by the department. end delete begin insert nurse and the
classroom teacher. end insert The appraisal may be waived, if the child’s
parents so desire, by their presenting of a certificate from a
physician and surgeon, a physician assistant practicing in
compliance with Chapter 7.7 (commencing with Section 3500) of
Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, or an optometrist
setting out the results of a determination of the child’s vision,
including visual acuity and color vision.

(b) A child’s vision may be appraised by using an eye chart or
any other scientifically validated begin delete screening end delete begin insert photoscreening end insert test.
begin insert Photoscreening tests shall be performed, under an agreement with,
or the supervision of, an optometrist or ophthalmologist, by the
school nurse or a trained individual who meets requirements
established by the department. end insert

(c) This section shall not apply to a child whose parents or
guardian file with the principal of the school in which the child is
enrolling, a statement in writing that they adhere to the faith or
teachings of any well-recognized religious sect, denomination, or
organization and in accordance with its creed, tenets, or principles
depend for healing upon prayer in the practice of their religion.