House File 696 - Introduced
HOUSE FILE
BY STAED
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act requiring certification of the performance of an eye
2 examination, and submission of the results of such
3 examination, when a child enrolls in kindergarten.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
5 TLSB 2700HH 82
6 ak/es/88
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 135.39D EYE EXAMINATIONS.
1 2 1. By January 1 after the start of the school year that a
1 3 child enrolls in kindergarten, the parent or guardian of the
1 4 child shall present to program or school health personnel
1 5 certification that the child within the previous twelve months
1 6 has undergone an eye examination, and the results of the
1 7 examination.
1 8 2. Students enrolling in kindergarten shall be required to
1 9 undergo a comprehensive eye examination, performed by a
1 10 licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. The comprehensive
1 11 eye examination shall include measurement of visual acuity;
1 12 ocular alignment and motility; depth perception; stereopsis;
1 13 fusion; slit lamp; examination of the anterior segment and
1 14 pupils; cycloplegic refraction and dilated fundus components;
1 15 and testing for amblyopia and strabismus. An ophthalmologist
1 16 or optometrist conducting an eye examination of a child shall
1 17 provide written certification and results of the examination
1 18 to a parent or guardian of the child. The report shall
1 19 include but not be limited to the following:
1 20 a. The date of the report.
1 21 b. The name, address, and date of birth of the child.
1 22 c. The name of the child's program or school.
1 23 d. The type of eye examination performed.
1 24 e. A summary of significant findings, including diagnoses,
1 25 medication used, duration of action of medications, treatment,
1 26 prognosis, and whether or not a return visit is recommended,
1 27 and if so, when.
1 28 f. Recommended educational adjustments for the child, if
1 29 any, which may include preferential seating in the classroom,
1 30 eyeglasses for full=time or part=time use in school, sight=
1 31 saving eyeglasses, and additional recommendations.
1 32 3. A child shall not be prohibited from attending
1 33 kindergarten based upon the failure of a parent or guardian to
1 34 furnish a report of the child's eye examination. A parent or
1 35 guardian who fails to furnish the required report shall be
2 1 notified in writing of the eye examination requirements.
2 2 4. The department, in coordination with the director of
2 3 the department of education, shall adopt rules regarding the
2 4 requirements of this section. The department shall submit a
2 5 report to the general assembly by January 1, annually,
2 6 regarding the results of the eye examinations. The first such
2 7 report, to be submitted by January 1, 2008, shall include an
2 8 assessment by the department of whether a source of financial
2 9 assistance to assist parents and guardians would increase
2 10 compliance with the required examinations.
2 11 EXPLANATION
2 12 This bill provides for certification of the performance of
2 13 an eye examination by a parent or guardian the year that a
2 14 child enrolls in kindergarten.
2 15 The bill provides that by January 1 after the start of the
2 16 school year for a child enrolling in kindergarten, the child's
2 17 parent or guardian shall present to school health personnel
2 18 certification that the child has undergone an eye examination
2 19 within the prior year, and the results of the examination.
2 20 The child shall be required to undergo a comprehensive eye
2 21 examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
2 22 consisting of specified examination components. The bill
2 23 states that an ophthalmologist or optometrist shall provide a
2 24 written certification and the results of the examination to a
2 25 parent or guardian of the child. Included in the report, in
2 26 addition to identifying information, shall be a summary of
2 27 significant findings, including diagnoses, medication used,
2 28 duration of action of medications, treatment, prognosis,
2 29 whether or not a return visit is recommended, and any
2 30 recommended educational adjustments for the child.
2 31 The bill states that a child shall not be prohibited from
2 32 attending school because of the failure of a parent or
2 33 guardian to furnish a report of a child's eye examination, and
2 34 that a parent or guardian who fails to furnish the required
2 35 report shall be notified in writing of the eye examination
3 1 requirements.
3 2 The bill provides that the department, in coordination with
3 3 the director of the department of education, shall adopt rules
3 4 regarding the bill's provisions, and that the director of
3 5 public health shall submit a report to the general assembly by
3 6 January 1, annually, regarding the results of the eye
3 7 examinations. The bill adds that the first such report, to be
3 8 submitted by January 1, 2008, shall include an assessment by
3 9 the department of whether a source of financial assistance for
3 10 parents and guardians would increase compliance with the
3 11 required eye examinations.
3 12 LSB 2700HH 82
3 13 ak:nh/es/88