BILL NUMBER: SR 31	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Vidak

                        MAY 18, 2015

   Relative to Child Vision Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, Prevent Blindness America indicates that more than 12
million children suffer from vision impairment, and that eye injuries
are one of the leading causes of vision loss in children; and
   WHEREAS, Nearly 25 percent of schoolage children have vision
problems, and, among children three to five years of age, close to
one in 20 has a problem that could result in permanent vision loss if
left untreated; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 2.4 million eye injuries occur annually in
the United States and nearly 35 percent of these eye injuries happen
to children 17 years of age and younger; and
   WHEREAS, Prevent Blindness America estimates that in California
the direct and indirect costs of eye injuries and vision loss among
children 17 years of age and younger are approximately $800,000 each
year; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California,That the Senate
designates the month of June 2015 as Child Vision Awareness Month in
California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the partnership between
Prevent Blindness America and the American Academy of
Ophthalmologists as a highly successful effort to educate families
about children's eye health and safety; and be it further
   Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health should
educate parents about signs that may indicate their child has vision
problems as well as encourage parents to begin eye examinations for
their children by three years of age; and be it further
   Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health should
encourage parents to discuss the importance of eye safety with their
children, to select age-appropriate toys without sharp or protruding
parts, and to urge their children to wear protective eyewear while
participating in sports or recreational activities; and be it further

   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.