Bill Text: IN SB0553 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Vision testing.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-13 - Public Law 89 [SB0553 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-SB0553-Amended.html
Citations Affected: IC 20-34.
Synopsis: Vision testing. Defines "vision screening" for the testing of
certain students. Specifies that modified clinical technique vision tests
for students must be performed by a licensed ophthalmologist or
optometrist. Sets forth standards for vision tests. Modifies reporting
requirements for the results of vision tests and waivers of vision tests.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 14, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Provider
Services.
January 24, 2013, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
January 29, 2013, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
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A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
(1) a visual acuity test to determine an individual's ability to see at various distances;
(2) a refractive error test to determine the focusing power of the eye;
(3) an ocular health test to determine any external or internal abnormalities of the eye; and
(4) a binocular coordination test to determine if the eyes are working together properly.
(b) For purposes of this section, "vision screening" means the testing of visual acuity to determine an individual's ability to see at various distances using:
(1) the Snellen chart;
(2) Sloan letters;
(3) HOTV; or
(4) LEA symbol optotypes;
at a distance of either ten (10) or twenty (20) feet for distance vision, depending on the calibration of the chart being used, and a distance of fourteen (14) inches for near vision.
(c) The modified clinical technique shall be performed by an ophthalmologist licensed as a physician under IC 25-22.5 or an optometrist licensed under IC 25-24.
(1) either kindergarten or grade 1;
(2) grade 3;
(3) grade 5; and
(4) grade 8; and
for each student suspected of having a visual defect.
(e) The vision test for students in kindergarten and grade 1 shall be conducted using the modified clinical technique
(f) Each student described in subsection (d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4), and each student suspected of having a visual defect shall be tested using a vision screening
(g) The following standards apply for a vision screening under subsections (e) and (f):
(1) A student in kindergarten or grade 1 who is unable to read with each eye the 20/30 line of the Snellen chart or the 20/32 line of the Sloan letters, HOTV, or LEA symbol optotypes shall be recommended for further examination based upon the recommendation of the individual performing the screening.
(2) A student:
(A) in grade 3, grade 5, or grade 8; or
(B) suspected of having a visual defect;
who is unable to read with each eye the 20/30 line of the Snellen chart or the 20/32 line of the Sloan letters shall be recommended for further examination based upon the
recommendation of the individual performing the screening.
(c) (h) Records of all tests shall be made and continuously
maintained by the school corporation to provide information useful in
protecting, promoting, and maintaining the health of students. The state
department of health and the state board shall adopt joint rules
concerning vision testing equipment, qualifications of vision testing
personnel, visual screening procedures, and criteria for failure and
referral in the screening tests based on accepted medical practice and
standards.
(d) (i) The school corporation's governing body and the
superintendent shall receive annually the following information
concerning the tests conducted under this section:
(1) The number of students tested by grade.
(2) The number of students by grade who were tested using
the modified clinical technique.
(3) The number of students by grade who were tested using a
vision screening.
(2) (4) The number of students by grade who passed a test.
(3) (5) The number of students by grade who failed a test or were
referred for further testing.
(6) The name of the individual or department that supervised
the testing.
(e) (j) Each school corporation shall annually provide to the
department, for each school within the school corporation, the
following information concerning the tests conducted under this
section:
(1) Whether the tests were conducted at the school.
(2) If the tests were not conducted at the school, the reason for not
performing the tests.
(3) If the tests were conducted at the school:
(A) the number of students tested by grade;
(B) the number of students by grade who were tested using
the modified clinical technique;
(C) the number of students by grade who were tested using
a vision screening;
(D) the type of test used for each grade;
(E) the number of students who passed a test by grade; and
(F) the number of students who failed a test or who were
referred for further testing.
(f) (k) Not later than October July 1 2010, each year, the
department shall report for the previous school year:
(1) a compilation of the information received from school
corporations under subsection (e) (j);
(2) information received under section 13 of this chapter,
including:
(A) the number of school corporations that applied for a
waiver;
(B) the number of waivers approved;
(C) the number of waivers denied;
(D) the name of each school corporation that applied for a
waiver and whether the waiver was approved or denied;
and
(E) the reason for the approval or denial;
(3) the total number of students eligible for testing; and
(4) the total number of students tested;
to the legislative council in electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
(b) The waiver request under subsection (a) must:
(1) be in writing;
(2) include the reason or reasons that necessitated the waiver request; and
(3) indicate the extent to which the governing body attempted to comply with the requirements under section
(c) The state superintendent shall take action on the waiver request not later than thirty (30) days after receiving the waiver request.
(d) The state superintendent may:
(1) approve the waiver request;
(2) deny the waiver request; or
(3) provide whatever relief that may be available to enable the school corporation to comply with the requirements under section
(e) If the state superintendent approves the waiver request, the governing body shall conduct an annual screening test of the visual acuity of each student upon the student's enrollment in or transfer to grade 1.
(f) The governing body of each school corporation shall make and maintain records of all waivers requested by the governing body under
this section.
(g) The state superintendent shall make and continuously maintain
records of all actions taken by the state superintendent concerning all
waivers requested under this section.
(h) A request for a waiver under this section must be made
annually.
