SCS SB 16 -- CHILDREN'S VISION EXAMINATIONS

Beginning July 1, 2008, this bill requires public school students
enrolling in kindergarten or first grade to receive a vision
examination from a state licensed optometrist or physician.  The
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in conjunction
with the Department of Health and Senior Services will maintain a
list of sources to which children who may need vision exams or
have been found to be in need of further examination or vision
correction may be referred for free or reduced-cost treatment.

Beginning July 1, 2008, and continuing through the 2010-2011
school year, all public schools are required to conduct eye
screening exams for each student prior to the completion of the
first grade and again before the completion of the third grade.
When a student fails an eye screening, the school district must
notify the parent or guardian of the results and propose that the
student receive a complete eye exam from an optometrist or
physician.  A student will be excused from the eye screening
examination if his or her parent or guardian submits an objection
in writing to the appropriate school administrator.

The Children's Vision Commission is established to develop
standardized screening tests, reporting forms, appropriate
training programs, and guidelines specifying the benefits of
ongoing eye care for children and to conduct a pilot project
tracking the results of eye screenings.  The commission must
submit a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2011, on
the results and findings of the study.

The bill authorizes money from the Blindness Education, Screening
and Treatment Program Fund to be used to pay for those additional
costs incurred from eye screenings which are not covered by
existing public insurance if those costs do not exceed $99,000
per year.

The provisions regarding the required vision examination will
expire June 30, 2012.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am