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.
This bill would authorize a child’s vision to be appraised by using an eye chart or anybegin delete otherend delete scientifically validated photoscreening test. 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.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 49455 of the Education Code is amended
2to read:
(a) Upon first enrollment in a California school district
4of a child at a California elementary school, and at least every third
5year thereafter until the child has completed the eighth grade, the
6child’s vision shall be appraised by the school nurse or other
7authorized person under Section 49452. This appraisal shall include
8tests for visual acuity and color vision; however, color vision shall
9be appraised once and only on male children, and the results of
10the appraisal shall be entered in the health record of the pupil.
11Color vision appraisal need not begin until the male pupil has
12reached the first grade. Gross external observation of the child’s
13eyes, visual performance, and perception shall be done by the
14school
nurse and the classroom teacher. The appraisal may be
15waived, if the child’s parents so desire, by their presenting of a
16certificate from a physician and surgeon, a physician assistant
17practicing in compliance with Chapter 7.7 (commencing with
18Section 3500) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code,
19or an optometrist setting out the results of a determination of the
20child’s vision, including visual acuity and color vision.
21(b) A child’s vision may be appraised by using an eye chart or
22anybegin delete otherend delete scientifically validated photoscreening test.
23Photoscreening tests shall be performed, under an agreement with,
24or the supervision of, an optometrist or ophthalmologist, by the
25school nurse or a trained individual who meets requirements
26established
by the department.
27(c) This section shall not apply to a child whose parents or
28guardian file with the principal of the school in which the child is
29enrolling, a statement in writing that they adhere to the faith or
30teachings of any well-recognized religious sect, denomination, or
31organization and in accordance with its creed, tenets, or principles
32depend for healing upon prayer in the practice of their religion.
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