HF 1927

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/16/2015 03:06pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring a comprehensive vision exam for prekindergarten
children; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 121A.17, subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 121A.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Screening program.

(a) A screening program must include at least the
following components: developmental assessments, hearing deleted text begin and vision deleted text end screening or
referral, new text begin a comprehensive vision exam performed by a licensed pediatric ophthalmologist
or pediatric developmental optometrist, new text end immunization review and referral, the child's
height and weight, identification of risk factors that may influence learning, an interview
with the parent about the child, and referral for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment when
potential needs are identified. The district and the person performing or supervising the
screening must provide a parent or guardian with clear written notice that the parent
or guardian may decline to answer questions or provide information about family
circumstances that might affect development and identification of risk factors that may
influence learning. The notice must state "Early childhood developmental screening helps
a school district identify children who may benefit from district and community resources
available to help in their development. Early childhood developmental screening includes
a vision screening that helps detect potential eye problems but is not a substitute for a
comprehensive eye exam." The notice must clearly state that declining to answer questions
or provide information does not prevent the child from being enrolled in kindergarten or
first grade if all other screening components are met. If a parent or guardian is not able
to read and comprehend the written notice, the district and the person performing or
supervising the screening must convey the information in another manner. The notice must
also inform the parent or guardian that a child need not submit to the district screening
program if the child's health records indicate to the school that the child has received
comparable developmental screening performed within the preceding 365 days by a public
or private health care organization or individual health care provider. The notice must be
given to a parent or guardian at the time the district initially provides information to the
parent or guardian about screening and must be given again at the screening location.

(b) All screening components shall be consistent with the standards of the state
commissioner of health for early developmental screening programs. A developmental
screening program must not provide laboratory tests or a physical examination to any
child. The district must request from the public or private health care organization or the
individual health care provider the results of any laboratory test or physical examination
within the 12 months preceding a child's scheduled screening.

(c) If a child is without health coverage, the school district must refer the child to an
appropriate health care provider.

(d) A board may offer additional components such as nutritional, physical and
dental assessments, review of family circumstances that might affect development, blood
pressure, laboratory tests, and health history.

(e) If a statement signed by the child's parent or guardian is submitted to the
administrator or other person having general control and supervision of the school that
the child has not been screened because of conscientiously held beliefs of the parent
or guardian, the screening is not required.