Fiscal Note
BILL # SB 1319 TITLE: false claims; agriculture; technical correction
NOW: vision screening; program
SPONSOR: Kerr STATUS: Senate Engrossed
PREPARED BY: Morgan Dorcheus
Description
The bill would require the Department of Health Services (DHS) to consult with recognized nonprofit organizations that
provide free vision services, ophthalmologists, optometrists, school nurses, pediatricians, and school administrators when
adopting rules for school vision screenings.
Estimated Impact
To the extent that DHS' consultation with additional entities results in new vision screening requirements, costs to school
districts and charter schools could change for staff trainings, screening equipment purchases, or obtaining contract
services. In the absence of a designated state funding stream for vision screenings, school districts and charter schools
would pay any new costs using existing distributions. Because the fiscal impact would depend on future consultations, we
cannot determine the impact in advance.
Analysis
Current statute requires schools to provide vision screening services to students upon initial entry to school, when being
considered for special education services, when a teacher requests the screening, and when students are not reading at
grade level by third grade. DHS is currently required to adopt rules for school vision screenings in consultation with the
Department of Education. The bill states that DHS must also consult with recognized nonprofit organizations that provide
free vision services, ophthalmologists, optometrists, school nurses, pediatricians, and school administrators.
3/9/22