Bill Text: CA SB1172 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Pupil health: vision appraisals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-09-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 925, Statutes of 2014. [SB1172 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB1172-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 1172	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 23, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 27, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Steinberg
   (Principal  coauthor:   Assembly Member
  Gonzalez   coauthors:  
Assembly Members   Buchanan   and Gonzalez  )
    (   Coauthor:  Assembly
Member   Buchanan   ) 

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2014

   An act to amend Section 49455 of the Education Code, relating to
pupil health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1172, as amended, Steinberg. Pupil health: vision appraisals.
   Existing law requires, upon first enrollment in a California
school district of a child at an 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. Existing law requires this
appraisal to include tests for visual acuity and color vision.
Existing law requires gross external observation of the child's eyes,
visual performance, and perception to be done by the school nurse
and the classroom teacher.
   This bill would instead require a pupil's vision to be appraised
by the school nurse or other authorized person during 
kindergarten, first grade,   kindergarten  or upon
first enrollment or entry in a California school district of a pupil
at an elementary school, and in grades 2, 5, and  8.
  8, except as provided.  The bill would revise the
functions to be performed by the school nurse and the classroom
teacher in observing a pupil's eyes, appearance, and other factors
that may indicate vision difficulties. The bill would require the
State Department of Education to adopt guidelines to implement those
provisions, including training requirements and a method of testing
for near vision. Because the bill would impose additional duties on
public schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 49455 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   49455.  (a)  (1)    During the kindergarten
 year, first grade,   year  or upon first
enrollment or entry in a California school district of a pupil at an
elementary school, and in grades 2, 5, and 8, the pupil's vision
shall be appraised by the school nurse or other authorized person
under Section 49452.  This  
   (2) A pupil whose first enrollment or entry occurs in grade 4 or 7
shall not be required to be appraised in the year immediately
following the pupil's first enrollment or entry. 
    (b)     The  appraisal shall include
tests for visual acuity, including near vision, and color vision;
however, color vision shall be appraised once and only on male
pupils, and the results of the appraisal shall be entered in the
health record of the pupil. Color vision appraisal need not begin
until the male pupil has reached the first grade.  The

    (c)     The  appraisal may be waived,
if the pupil's parents so desire, by their presenting of a
certificate from a physician and surgeon, a physician assistant
practicing in compliance with Chapter 7.7 (commencing with Section
3500) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, or an
optometrist setting out the results of a determination of the pupil's
vision, including visual acuity and color vision. 
   (b) 
    (d)  Continual and regular observation of the pupil's
eyes, appearance, behavior, visual performance, and perception that
may indicate vision difficulties shall be done by the school nurse
and the classroom teacher. 
   (c) 
    (e)  This section shall not apply to a pupil whose
parents or guardian file with the principal of the school in which
the pupil is enrolling, a statement in writing that they adhere to
the faith or teachings of any well-recognized religious sect,
denomination, or organization and in accordance with its creed,
tenets, or principles depend for healing upon prayer in the practice
of their religion. 
   (d) 
    (f)  The department shall adopt guidelines to implement
this section, including training requirements and a method of testing
for near vision.
  SEC. 2.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.