HF 300

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 01/31/2011 10:41am

A bill for an act
relating to education; recommending comprehensive eye exams; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 121A.17, subdivisions 1, 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 121A.17, subdivision 1, is amended to
read:

Subdivision 1.

Early childhood developmental screening.

Every school board
must provide for a mandatory program of early childhood developmental screening for
children at least once before school entrance, targeting children who are between three
and four years old. This screening program must be established either by one board, by
two or more boards acting in cooperation, by service cooperatives, by early childhood
family education programs, or by other existing programs. This screening examination is
a mandatory requirement for a student to continue attending kindergarten or first grade in
a public school. A child need not submit to developmental screening provided by a board
if the child's health records indicate to the board that the child has received comparable
developmental screening from a public or private health care organization or individual
health care provider. A student identification number, as defined by the commissioner of
education, shall be assigned at the time of early childhood developmental screening or at
the time of the provision of health records indicating a comparable screening. Each school
district must provide the essential data in accordance with section 125B.07, subdivision 6,
to the Department of Education. Districts are encouraged to reduce the costs of preschool
developmental screening programs by utilizing volunteers and public or private health care
organizations or individual health care providers in implementing the program. new text begin Districts
shall recommend to all parents and guardians that children undergo a comprehensive eye
examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once before school entrance.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, 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 and vision screening or
referral, 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. new text begin This notice
must also include the following statement for parents and guardians: "Vision screening is
not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Your
child is not required to undergo a vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist
has completed and signed a report form indicating a comprehensive eye examination has
been administered within the previous 12 months." new text end 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.