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HF 638

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/13/2013 06:55pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 02/18/2013

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to education; creating a vision therapy pilot project; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin VISION THERAPY PILOT PROJECT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A grant is established to fund a vision therapy pilot
project. The grant shall be administered by the commissioner of education as competitive
three-year grants. An applicant for a grant must be a school district, charter school,
consortium of school districts, or a tribal school.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Pilot project. new text end

new text begin (a) In the first year of the project, all second and third
graders in a pilot school and all fourth and fifth graders with an individualized education
program shall have a comprehensive eye examination. In the second and third year of
the project, all second graders in a pilot school and all fourth graders who transfer into
a pilot school with an individualized education plan shall have a comprehensive eye
examination. In all years of the pilot project, all second through fifth grade students, who
have not had a comprehensive eye examination through the pilot project and are put on
an individualized education program for the first time shall have a comprehensive eye
examination. The results of the comprehensive eye examination must be shared with the
student's individualized education program team to determine whether vision therapy
alone may be appropriate for the student and adjust the individualized education program
accordingly. The parent or guardian of a student who qualifies for a comprehensive eye
examination under this paragraph may submit a written notification to the school opting
the student out of the examination.
new text end

new text begin (b) In each year of the project, the school or district shall provide appropriate
vision therapy to students as found necessary by the comprehensive eye examinations
under paragraph (a), and when appropriate, consistent with the interventions used in the
Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The applicant must submit a plan to the commissioner in the
form and manner the commissioner determines. A school district or consortium of districts
may limit their application to one or more schools within the district or consortium. The
application must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the schools that will implement the pilot project;
new text end

new text begin (2) who will provide the vision therapy;
new text end

new text begin (3) how the vision and reading skills of students participating in the program will be
evaluated before and after vision therapy;
new text end

new text begin (4) how students will be monitored after receiving vision therapy; and
new text end

new text begin (5) what additional reading interventions will be available to students after
completion of the vision therapy program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application review; grant awards. new text end

new text begin (a) Grant money must be paid to
recipient schools or districts in the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017 school years. A
preference may be given to applicants with a percentage of students with individualized
education programs that exceeds the state average.
new text end

new text begin (b) Grants are awarded for a three-year time period. The commissioner may award
the grant to one or more applicants. The amount of the grant in each year of the project
may vary, if consistent with the plan details of the application.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must determine the amount of each grant based upon the
number of screened children the grantee expects to serve.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Evaluation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must provide for an evaluation
of the pilot project and must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance by January 15, 2018.
The report must include an assessment of how many students who had individualized
education programs and received a comprehensive eye exam and vision therapy no longer
needed an individualized education program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section
are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal
year designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants for vision therapy pilot project. new text end

new text begin For grants to implement a vision
screening and therapy pilot project in schools and school districts under section 1:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin 2014
new text end

new text begin This appropriation is available until expended.
new text end