SF 334

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/30/2016 08:54am

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring a comprehensive vision examination before
kindergarten enrollment; 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 vision screening and comprehensive vision examination review and referral,
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. new text begin For the purposes of this
section, "comprehensive vision examination" means a vision examination performed by
an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
new text end

(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.