California Assembly Bill AB1840 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 1840AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 10, 2014 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 28, 2014 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Campos FEBRUARY 18, 2014 An act to amend Section 49455 of the Education Code, relating to pupil health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1840, as amended, Campos. Pupil health: vision appraisal. Existing law requires, upon first enrollment in a California school district of a child at a California elementary school, and at least every 3rd year thereafter until the child has completed the 8th grade, the child's vision to be appraised by the school nurse or other authorized person, as specified. This  bill would also require a child's vision to be appraised upon first enrollment in a state or federally funded child care and development program, and at least every 3rd year thereafter until the child has completed the 8th grade, as specified. The  bill would authorize a child's vision to be appraised by using an eye chart or any other scientifically valid technology  , as  provided  . Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  yes   no  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 49455 of the Education Code is amended to read: 49455. (a) Upon first enrollment in a California school district of a child at a California elementary  school or a state or federally funded child care and development program, as defined by Section 8208,   school,  and at least every third year thereafter until the child has completed the eighth grade, the child's vision shall be appraised by the school nurse or other authorized person under Section 49452. This appraisal shall include tests for visual acuity and color vision; however, color vision shall be appraised once and only on male children, and the results of the appraisal shall be entered in the health record of the pupil. Color vision appraisal need not begin until the male pupil has reached the first grade. Gross external observation of the child's eyes, visual performance, and perception shall be done by the school nurse and the classroom  teacher, or the caregiver, as applicable.   teacher.  The appraisal may be waived, if the child's parents so desire, by their presenting of a certificate from a physician and surgeon, a physician assistant practicing in compliance with Chapter 7.7 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, or an optometrist setting out the results of a determination of the child's vision, including visual acuity and color vision. (b) A child's vision may be appraised by using an eye chart or any other scientifically valid technology. For purposes of this subdivision, a scientifically valid technology is a technology that has been published in a peer reviewed journal. (c) This section shall not apply to a child whose parents or guardian file with the principal of the school  or the caregiver of the child care and development program, as applicable,  in which the child is enrolling, a statement in writing that they adhere to the faith or teachings of any well-recognized religious sect, denomination, or organization and in accordance with its creed, tenets, or principles depend for healing upon prayer in the practice of their religion.